The Israeli Foreign Ministry announced early Monday that they had successfully diverted the Gaza-bound ship, Madleen, which was reportedly carrying a group of pro-Palestinian activists and humanitarian aid. Among the passengers were well-known figures including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and Rima Hassan, a member of the European Parliament. The vessel set sail from Sicily on June 1 under the auspices of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, a grassroots organization advocating against the blockade of Gaza.
The Israeli government had firmly asserted its intention to prevent the ship from reaching Gaza, with military officials declaring they would utilize “any means necessary” to uphold the naval blockade currently in place. On Monday, the Foreign Ministry took to social media, mocking the ship's journey as the “selfie yacht” of “celebrities,” suggesting that the activists' motives were more about seeking publicity than genuinely aiding those in Gaza.
Reports surfaced as the vessel neared Israeli shores, claiming that alarms had been triggered aboard the Madleen and that drones were surveilling the area prior to the interception. Following the events, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition expressed grave concerns, alleging that the activists had been “kidnapped” by Israeli military forces. Video footage shared later indicated that the passengers were received on Israeli territory, albeit under custody, with offers of food and water as a gesture of goodwill amidst the tensions.
