Activists Deported After Gaza Aid Boat Interception

Mon Sep 15 2025 17:04:27 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Six activists detained on the Madleen aid boat have been deported from Israel, sparking criticism from human rights groups.

The Israeli foreign ministry has confirmed the deportation of six out of eight activists from the Madleen, intercepted while attempting to breach Israel's Gaza blockade. Human rights organization Adalah condemned their treatment while in custody and called for their immediate release.

Six activists from the aid boat Madleen, which was intercepted while attempting to challenge Israel's naval blockade of Gaza, have been deported, as confirmed by the Israeli foreign ministry. Following their interception over 72 hours ago in international waters, the activists were transferred to Ben Gurion Airport for deportation. According to the Israeli human rights group Adalah, two remains detained, with plans for their deportation on Friday.

Among those deported on Thursday was Rima Hassan, a French-Palestinian Member of the European Parliament. The Israeli foreign ministry took to X, stating: "Six more passengers from the 'selfie yacht,' including Rima Hassan, are on their way out of Israel," along with a seemingly sarcastic remark about taking selfies before departure.

Adalah reported that during their detention, the activists experienced mistreatment and punitive measures, including solitary confinement for some. They called for the immediate release of all detained activists, asserting that their ongoing detention contradicts international law.

The Madleen, carrying a dozen activists, was intercepted approximately 185 km off the coast of Gaza while attempting to deliver a symbolic amount of humanitarian aid amid the ongoing crisis. The Israeli foreign ministry disparaged the boat's mission, labeling it a "selfie yacht" carrying little aid.

Earlier, four activists—including Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg—opted for immediate deportation. Upon her return to France, Thunberg accused Israeli forces of kidnapping the activists during their exit from international waters. Israel maintains that unauthorized attempts to breach its blockade jeopardize ongoing humanitarian efforts and emphasized that any genuine assistance will be funneled through established humanitarian channels.

The Israeli blockade has exacerbated the already dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza, driving residents toward catastrophic hunger, with the UN raising alarms over the situation affecting 2.1 million people. As of late, Israel has recommenced military operations while allowing limited food aid to enter. However, this move remains contentious, with the UN and other organizations unwilling to work within new restrictions that the Israeli government has implemented. The conflict has persisted since Hamas’s cross-border attack on Israel in October 2023, which resulted in extensive casualties on both sides.