Govind Tekale
In the early hours of June 9, 2025, Israeli naval forces intercepted the Madleen, a ship carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza. The vessel, with activists including Greta Thunberg aboard, was boarded at approximately 3:02 am CET in international waters.
What Happened to the Madleen
The British-flagged Madleen was boarded by Israeli forces approximately 100 nautical miles from Gaza’s coast. According to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), the ship was “forcibly intercepted” by Israeli military forces.
In a pre-recorded video released as the interception occurred, Thunberg stated: “My name is Greta Thunberg and I am from Sweden. If you see this video, we have been intercepted and kidnapped in international waters by the Israeli occupational forces or forces that support Israel.” She added a direct plea: “I urge all my friends, family and comrades to put pressure on the Swedish government to release me and the others as soon as possible.”
Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz had previously stated on social media that he had “instructed the IDF to act so that the Madleen flotilla does not reach Gaza – and to take any means necessary to do so.” He also referred to Thunberg as “antisemitic” and told her and her “friends who speak Hamas propaganda” to “turn back – because you will not reach Gaza.”
After the interception, Israel’s Foreign Ministry announced that the vessel and all 12 people aboard were being taken to Israel, with the activists expected to return to their home countries.
The Aid Cargo
According to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the Madleen carried essential supplies including:
- Baby formula
- Flour and rice
- Medical supplies
- Water desalination kits
- Women’s sanitary products
- Diapers
The Israeli Foreign Ministry described the aid as “tiny” and stated it would be transferred to Gaza through “real humanitarian channels.”
People Aboard
The vessel carried 12 people, including:
- Greta Thunberg, Swedish climate activist
- Rima Hassan, French Member of European Parliament of Palestinian descent
- Several other international activists from countries including Brazil, France, the Netherlands, Turkey, Spain, and Germany
Timeline Leading to Interception
May 2, 2025: The Freedom Flotilla’s earlier vessel Conscience was reportedly struck by drones near Malta, with four civilian volunteers injured and the ship disabled.
June 1, 2025: Madleen departed Catania, Sicily, carrying the 12 activists and humanitarian aid.
June 8, 2025: Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered the military to prevent the Madleen from reaching Gaza.
June 9, 2025, ~3:02 am: Israeli naval forces boarded the Madleen in international waters.
Similar Posts:
Gaza’s Humanitarian Crisis
Recent UN reports highlight the severe humanitarian situation in Gaza:
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), as of early June 2025:
- Over 640,000 Palestinians have been displaced since March 18, 2025
- 82% of Gaza territory is under active hostilities or displacement orders
- Aid deliveries remain far below the target of 500 trucks per day
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) reported in May 2025 that:
- Around 500,000 people in Gaza (about one in five) are facing catastrophic levels of hunger
- The entire population is experiencing acute food insecurity
- More than 2,700 children under five were diagnosed with acute malnutrition in late May 2025, triple the proportion from three months earlier
Legal Context
The interception of vessels in international waters raises questions under international law:
The incident recalls the May 2010 boarding of the Mavi Marmara, when nine activists were killed during an Israeli operation in international waters. The UN Palmer Report later deemed the blockade lawful but criticized the raid’s execution.
Israel maintains that the naval blockade, in place since 2007, is necessary to prevent arms smuggling to Hamas.
Previous Flotilla Attempts
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition has organized several attempts to break the naval blockade of Gaza since 2010:
The most significant previous incident was the May 2010 raid on the Mavi Marmara. Israeli commandos boarded the vessel in international waters, resulting in the deaths of nine activists (with a tenth dying later of wounds).
More recently, on May 2, 2025, the vessel Conscience was reportedly struck by drones off Malta, forcing that mission to be abandoned.
International Responses
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Francesca Albanese, had supported the FFC operation before the interception.
After the boarding, various countries called for the release of their nationals from the ship. The French government had previously noted that it was obliged to ensure “consular protection” for its six citizens aboard the Madleen.
The Madleen’s journey highlights the ongoing tension between Israel’s security concerns and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. While Israeli authorities maintain the blockade is necessary for security, international organizations continue to express alarm about deteriorating conditions for Gaza’s 2.1 million civilians.
