Israel intercepts Gaza-bound aid boat carrying Greta Thunberg

On Monday, Israeli naval forces intercepted the Madleen, a Gaza-bound aid boat carrying climate activist Greta Thunberg and other campaigners, after it sailed from Italy on June 1 to challenge Israel’s longstanding naval blockade.

Early alarms rang onboard as the vessel entered a restricted zone; life jackets were readied before Israeli troops boarded and towed it back to shore.

Thunberg’s pre-recorded message confirmed the activists’ capture, calling it a kidnapping.

Israel’s Defence Minister insists the blockade is vital to prevent weapon smuggling, while the Foreign Ministry outlined the vessel’s course violation.

It said “the passengers are expected to return to their home countries.”

This incident echoes the 2010 Israeli raid on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla, which was carrying 10,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid and had set out from Istanbul in an attempt to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza. The deadly raid left nine activists killed.

The UN has repeatedly warned of famine, malnutrition and disease throughout the 21 months of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.