Israeli naval forces have seized the Madleen, a civilian aid vessel headed for Gaza, in international waters approximately 160km (100 miles) from the besieged Palestinian enclave.
The ship, organised by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and registered in the United Kingdom, was intercepted early Monday. Israeli authorities confirmed they are escorting the crew to Ashdod, a port city in southern Israel.
Video footage taken before communications were lost shows the unarmed crew—activists and journalists from across Europe and the Americas—seated with hands raised as Israeli commandos boarded the ship. The vessel was reportedly carrying essential supplies including food, baby formula and medical items.
Among the 12 detained are high-profile climate activist Greta Thunberg, Brazilian organiser Thiago Ávila, French Member of European Parliament Rima Hassan, and journalist Omar Faiad from Al Jazeera Mubasher.
Before contact was lost, passengers said Israeli drones sprayed the ship with a thick white substance that caused burning and irritation. Analysts believe it may have been a tracking compound rather than Israel’s commonly used “skunk water”.
Human rights experts have described the seizure as a breach of international law and a violation of the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) provisional measures, which demand unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza.
“This is not only an act of state piracy. It’s in direct violation of the ICJ’s orders,” said Mouin Rabbani, non-resident fellow at the Qatar-based Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies.
Brazilian activist Thiago Ávila had recorded a message prior to departure, stating: “If you’re watching this, I’ve been kidnapped… we count on you.” He urged international pressure to ensure their release and to end the blockade.
The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs downplayed the mission as a “selfie yacht” stunt, suggesting activists sought media attention rather than humanitarian goals. Critics called the statement degrading and warned it could constitute a war crime under international law.
The Israeli Defence Ministry said the operation had been ordered by Minister Israel Katz, who labelled the voyage a “propaganda effort in support of Hamas.”
The vessel’s interception follows a pattern of restrictions and violence around aid deliveries to Gaza. According to human rights monitors, more than 100 Palestinians have been killed while attempting to access food in recent weeks.
UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese said: “Israel has no authority over Gaza. The people of Gaza need to be helped—not blockaded.”
This latest interception comes just weeks after another FFC aid vessel (the Conscience) was attacked by drones while sailing in international waters off Malta.
The coalition accused Israel of targeting the ship, which suffered major damage to its hull. “Armed drones attacked the front of an unarmed civilian vessel twice, causing a fire and a substantial breach in the hull,” the group said at the time.
Greta Thunberg, who was aboard the intercepted yacht, said she had initially planned to join the earlier voyage. “I was part of the group who was supposed to board that boat today to continue the voyage towards Gaza, which is one of many attempts to open up a humanitarian corridor and to do our part to keep trying to break Israel’s illegal siege on Gaza,” she told Reuters. “This attack caused an explosion and major damage to the vessel, which made it impossible to continue the mission.”
Israel’s war on Gaza
Israel has continued its military campaign in Gaza despite widespread international calls for a ceasefire, with nearly 54,900 Palestinians reported killed since October 2023—most of them women and children, according to Gaza’s health authorities. Aid agencies warn that over 2 million residents of the besieged enclave face acute risks of famine and displacement.
In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, citing allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the Gaza conflict.
Israel is also currently facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice over its military operations against Palestinian civilians in the territory.
