PENNSYLVANIA — Israeli naval forces early Monday intercepted a Gaza-bound aid vessel carrying climate activist Greta Thunberg and 11 other international activists, enforcing the country's longstanding naval blockade of the Palestinian territory.

The British-flagged ship Madleen was seized in international waters approximately 185 kilometers from Gaza's coast around 3 a.m. local time, according to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which organized the mission. Israeli military officials said they ordered the vessel to change course before boarding it with commandos from the elite Shayetet 13 unit.

The activists, including Swedish climate campaigner Thunberg and French Member of European Parliament Rima Hassan, were detained and transported to Israel's port of Ashdod. Israeli authorities said the activists would be deported to their home countries, while any humanitarian aid aboard would be transferred to Gaza through established channels.

"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," Thunberg said in a pre-recorded message released after the ship's interception.

Humanitarian Mission Amid Gaza Crisis

The Madleen departed from Sicily on June 1 carrying what organizers described as a symbolic amount of humanitarian aid, including baby formula, 100 kilograms of flour, 250 kilograms of rice, medical supplies and children's prosthetics. The 12 activists aboard represented multiple countries including Sweden, France, Brazil, Germany and Turkey.

The mission aimed to protest Israel's ongoing military campaign in Gaza and highlight restrictions on humanitarian aid delivery to the territory's 2.3 million residents . Aid organizations report that more than 90 percent of Gaza's population faces severe food shortages following Israel's tightened blockade since the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack.

Defense Minister Israel Katz had warned Sunday that Israel would prevent the vessel from reaching Gaza, calling Thunberg "antisemitic" and referring to the activists as "Hamas propagandists" . "You should turn back, because you will not make it to Gaza," Katz said in a statement.

International Legal Disputes

Human rights organizations condemned the interception as a violation of international law, arguing it occurred in international waters where Israel lacks jurisdiction . Amnesty International Secretary General Agnès Callamard called the operation "unlawful" and demanded the immediate release of all detainees.

"By forcibly intercepting and blocking the Madleen which was carrying humanitarian aid and a crew of solidarity activists, Israel has once again flouted its legal obligations towards civilians in the occupied Gaza Strip," Callamard said.

Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein defended the action, stating that "everything that was done was executed in accordance with international law." Israel maintains its naval blockade is necessary to prevent Hamas from importing weapons.

Historical Context of Gaza Flotillas

The incident marks the latest in a series of attempts by international activists to challenge Israel's blockade of Gaza, which has been in place since 2007. The most deadly previous confrontation occurred in 2010 when Israeli commandos killed 10 activists aboard the Turkish ship Mavi Marmara.

In May 2025, another Freedom Flotilla vessel was reportedly attacked by drones in international waters off Malta, though no injuries were reported. The coalition attributed that incident to Israel, which has not commented on the allegation.

The current conflict in Gaza began after Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.

The Madleen's interception comes as international pressure mounts on Israel to allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza, where U.N. officials warn of impending famine conditions. Israel began allowing limited aid deliveries in May after maintaining a total blockade for 2½ months, but humanitarian workers say the current level remains insufficient.