From 3h ago 02.15 BST Freedom Flotilla Coalition accuses Israel of ‘forcibly intercepting’ the Madleen In a statement just released, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) has accused Israel of “forcibly intercepting” the Madleen and acting with “total impunity”. It says that at 3.02am CET, the ship was “unlawfully boarded, its unarmed civilian crew abducted, and its life-saving cargo—including baby formula, food and medical supplies—confiscated.” “Israel has no legal authority to detain international volunteers aboard the Madleen,” said Huwaida Arraf, a Freedom Flotilla organiser. These volunteers are not subject to Israeli jurisdiction and cannot be criminalized for delivering aid or challenging an illegal blockade—their detention is arbitrary, unlawful, and must end immediately.” Share Updated at 02.20 BST

18m ago 04.40 BST Summary It’s 6.40am in Israel where activists on board a Gaza-bound aid ship have reportedly been transferred to an Israeli port after they were intercepted at sea by the country’s navy. Here’s the latest: Israeli forces intercepted the Madleen after it tried to break a naval blockade of the Gaza Strip, and detained its crew of 12 including activist Greta Thunberg and French MEP Rima Hassan . The British-flagged ship, which is operated by the pro-Palestinian Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), was aiming to deliver a symbolic amount of aid to Gaza and raise international awareness of the humanitarian crisis there.

The FFC said the boat was boarded during the night before it could reach shore. In a post online, the organisation said the ship was “unlawfully boarded, its unarmed civilian crew abducted, and its life-saving cargo—including baby formula, food and medical supplies—confiscated.”

The Israeli foreign ministry confirmed the Madleen was under Israeli control and “making its way to the shores of Israel,” adding that its passengers are “expected to return to their home countries.” Referring to the aid-vessel as a “selfie yacht”, the ministry said all passengers were safe and unharmed and that the aid on board “will be transferred to Gaza through real humanitarian channels.”

Earlier on Sunday, Israeli defence minister Israel Katz ordered the military to prevent the Madleen from reaching Gaza , calling the mission a propaganda effort in support of Hamas. Katz said that the blockade was essential to Israel’s national security as it seeks to destroy Hamas.

The United Nations’ special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, said she had been in touch with the Madleen before communication had been lost. “Madleen’s journey may have ended, but the mission isn’t over. Every Mediterranean port must send boats with aid & solidarity to Gaza,” she wrote on X. Share

45m ago 04.13 BST Among those on board the Madleen was Omar Faiad, a journalist with the Al Jazeera network. He was broadcasting from the vessel until communication was cut as it was intercepted by the Israeli navy. In a video shared by Al Jazeera, the passengers are seen sat around a table with their arms raised as light shines on to them from outside. A loudspeaker in the distance tells them “don’t be afraid.” One of the crew tells them to “assume their positions”. He goes on to say “we are being intercepted right now.” A voice then commands that “phones are thrown into the water”, but it is unclear who is saying this. Share Updated at 04.20 BST

1h ago 03.56 BST International reaction to the Madleen’s interception continues to roll in. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) – America’s largest Muslim civil rights organisation – condemned the move, calling it a “blatant act of international piracy.” In a statement, CAIR national executive director Nihad Awad said: “We applaud Greta Thunberg and the other activists of the Madleen who bravely risked their safety and freedom to help the starving people of Gaza.” We call on governments – especially western governments funding Israel’s genocide and Arab Muslim governments watching it happen – to show an iota of the courage demonstrated by those on the Madleen by using every tool at their disposal to force an end to the genocide.” “We strongly condemn the cowardly and illegal Israeli attack on the Madleen’s as it approached Gaza with desperately-need humanitarian supplies. This is a blatant act of international piracy and state terrorism.” @NihadAwad

READ: https://t.co/nWvdxAuqtl https://t.co/3tSOQVAAK5 — CAIR National (@CAIRNational) June 9, 2025 In France, crowds are reportedly gathering at the Place de la République to protest the action. Among those on board the Madleen is Rima Hassan, a French member of the European parliament. And in Australia, snap protest have been called in at least three states – including Western Australia, Queensland and New South Wales. Share

1h ago 03.39 BST Israeli media report Madleen will be taken to Ashdod Israeli media are reporting that the Madleen and its passengers will be taken to the Israeli port of Ashdod. The Jerusalem Post has said that the the military’s naval unit, Shayetet 13, was responsible for the interception at around 3am local time. Earlier we had a statement from the Israeli foreign ministry, saying those on board would be “expected to return to their home countries.” Share

1h ago 03.33 BST Earlier, Israel’s foreign ministry released a video of a representative of the country’s navy communicating with the Madleen. In it, the official says over a loudspeaker that the coast of Gaza “is closed,” adding that if they wish to deliver aid they are able to through “established channels” via the Israeli port of Ashdod. The Israeli Navy is currently communicating with the “selfie yacht”. Using an international civilian communication system, the Israeli Navy has instructed the “selfie yacht” to change its course due to its approach toward a restricted area. pic.twitter.com/KnSqWrsXU2 — Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) June 8, 2025 Share

2h ago 03.24 BST In the hours before the Madleen was intercepted, Yasemin Acar, one of the activists who was on board, posted a series of videos online documenting the final moments of the voyage. In one, she films a drone flying above the ship, telling her followers they are taking cover. Later she says she is masking her face because a white liquid has been sprayed on the deck of the vessel. They did say they want to intercept us in a calm way, but this is not what is happening.” In the final video posted from on board she tells her supporters the Madleen is being “intercepted”. In the background, another activist tells the passengers to throw their phones overboard while a loudspeaker in the background says “don’t be afraid.” Share

2h ago 03.08 BST Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories, has called on others to send aid vessels to Gaza, adding “BreakingTheSiege is a legal duty for states, and a moral imperative for all of us.” While #Madleen must be released immediately, every Mediterranean port should send boats with aid, solidarity, and humanity to Gaza. They shall sail together—united, they will be unstoppable.” While #Madleen must be released immediately, every Mediterranean port should send boats with aid, solidarity, and humanity to Gaza. They shall sail together—united, they will be unstoppable.#BreakingTheSiege is a legal duty for states, and a moral imperative for all of us. pic.twitter.com/FeaD1Fq4Dk — Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur oPt (@FranceskAlbs) June 9, 2025 Share

2h ago 02.55 BST The Madleen left the port of Catania in Sicily, southern Italy, on 1 June and was attempting to reach Gaza to bring in a symbolic amount of aid and raise international awareness of the continuing humanitarian crisis. A months-long aid blockade on the territory was slightly eased in mid-May, allowing a limited amount of humanitarian aid into the territory. But malnutrition is spreading, medics and aid workers have warned, with UN officials describing Gaza as “the hungriest place on Earth”. On Sunday, Israel’s foreign minister said he would “not allow anyone to break the naval blockade on Gaza, whose primary purpose is to prevent the transfer of weapons to Hamas.” Israel’s plan to concentrate food delivery in hubs guarded by private security contractors and the Israeli military and provided by the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) has proved to be chaotic and dangerous, critics say. At least four people were killed and others wounded by Israeli fire on Sunday, about a kilometre from a food distribution point in Gaza, Palestinian medics and officials said. The deaths bring the number of people who have been killed while trying to find food in Gaza since 27 May, when GHF became responsible for civilian food provision, to 110. More than 1,000 have been injured. Last month, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition said another of its vessels was bombed by drones and disabled while in international waters off Malta as it headed towards Gaza. Share

2h ago 02.45 BST The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), the group operating the vessel, is posting a series of pre-recorded videos online of activist who were on board the Madleen. In one, Swedish activist Greta Thunberg says, “if you see this video we have been intercepted and kidnapped in international waters.” She calls on her supporters to put “pressure on the Swedish government to release me and the others as soon as possible.” SOS! the volunteers on ‘Madleen’ have been kidnapped by Israeli forces.

Greta Thunberg is a Swedish citizen.

Pressure their foreign ministries and help us keep them safe!

Web: https://t.co/uCGmx8sn8j

X : @SweMFA

FB : @SweMFA

IG : swedishmfa#AllEyesOnMadeleen pic.twitter.com/76Myrg2Bnz — Freedom Flotilla Coalition (@GazaFFlotilla) June 9, 2025 In another, French activist Reve Viard says “If you are seeing this video, it means we got intercepted by the Israeli forces.” He asks that his supporters share the video, to “put pressure on the French government so the we could be released with our friends.” Share Updated at 03.18 BST

2h ago 02.40 BST Before communication with the vessel was lost, Yanis Mhamdi, a French journalist on board the Madleen, posted this video online, which apparently shows a drone, flying over the ship. Je suis journaliste et après avoir couvert pendant une semaine le convoi de la Feeedom Flotilla mon arrestation par l’armée israélienne est imminente. Des humanitaires et des journalistes n’ont pas être arrêté J’appelle tous mes confrères à se mobiliser. @blast_france pic.twitter.com/T1hiNZXLQf — Yanis Mhamdi (@yanmdi) June 8, 2025 In the post he writes, “I am a journalist, and after covering the Freedom Flotilla convoy for a week, my arrest by the Israeli army is imminent. Humanitarian workers and journalists should not be arrested. I call on all my colleagues to mobilize.” Share Updated at 03.17 BST

Activists on board the Madleen vessel en route to Gaza to provide humanitarian goods say they have been intercepted by Israeli soldiers.

Posting on Telegram, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) campaign organisation announced “connection has been lost” on the Madleen and later uploaded a photo of people sitting with their hands up in life jackets.

Israel’s foreign ministry’s latest updates on the aid boat said the yacht was “safely making its way to the shores of Israel,” and its occupants were “expected to return to their home countries.”

Shortly after, the Israeli foreign ministry released a video on X showing its navy giving orders to the Gaza-bound aid ship to divert and posted another footage that showed passengers of what it called the “Selfie Yacht” safe and unharmed.

Concern first mounted overnight for the safety of the Freedom Flotilla’s Madleen crew after alarms went off on the boat carrying Greta Thunberg and other activists en route to Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition said the situation caused panic and led many of them to take cover and put on life jackets in preparation for an intervention.

In a post on social media, it wrote, “Alarm has been sounded on the Madleen. Life jackets are on, preparing for interception.”

Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur on occupied territories, who claimed to be in contact with the flotilla’s communication room in Catania, noted that around five vessels had been circling the aid boat, with two drones hovering over the vessel.

On Sunday, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said that Israel wouldn’t allow anyone to break its naval blockade of the Palestinian territory, which he said was aimed at preventing Hamas from importing arms.

“To the antisemitic Greta and her fellow Hamas propagandists — I will say this clearly: You should turn back, because you will not make it to Gaza,” he said in a statement.

Climate activist Thunberg is one of 12 activists on board the Freedom Flotilla Coalition-run Madleen.

The boat left Sicily last Sunday on a mission to provide humanitarian goods and lift the naval blockade of Gaza while bringing attention to the escalating humanitarian situation two months into the Israel-Hamas conflict.

In May, the Freedom Flotilla’s attempt to reach Gaza by sea failed when two drones struck one of the group’s ships as it was cruising in international waters off Malta.

The said attack damaged the frontal part of the vessel, which the group blamed on Israel, a claim that Israel strongly refuted.

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The show ran for almost 16 years with more than 4500 episodes. Hosts Waleed Aly, Sarah Harris and Hamish Macdonald will leave the network.

The show is set to be replaced by a national, one-hour “news, current affairs and insights” program.

Last week, The Project attracted between 238,000 and 357,000 viewers nationally.

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A Gaza-bound aid boat carrying Greta Thunberg and other activists has been diverted to Israel, the country’s foreign ministry has said.

In a post on X, it said the British-flagged yacht Madleen, which is operated by the pro-Palestinian Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), “is safely making its way to the shores of Israel”.

“The passengers are expected to return to their home countries,” Israel’s foreign ministry said, adding that the humanitarian aid aboard the ship would be transferred to Gaza through established channels.

The ministry later said all the passengers were safe and unharmed, sharing footage of the activists being handed sandwiches and water. Ms Thunberg was “safe and in good spirits” while en route to Israel, it added.

Image: Ms Thunberg and other activists after their boat was diverted to Israel. Pic: Israel Foreign Ministry

The FFC claimed the passengers on the yacht had been “kidnapped by Israeli forces” and released pre-recorded messages from them after previously saying that the “Israeli army had boarded” the vessel.

Climate campaigner Ms Thunberg, 22, was one of a dozen activists aboard the Madleen, which set sail from Sicily on 1 May on a mission aiming to break Israel’s sea blockade.

The activists had planned to reach Gaza’s territorial waters as early as Sunday to deliver humanitarian aid, but their plan was thwarted by Israel.

Image: Ms Thunberg pictured in a pre-recorded video, released after the Madleen was diverted to Israel. Pic: FFC

Image: The climate campaigner aboard the Madleen on 2 June. Pic: Freedom Flotilla Coalition/Reuters

Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament, who is of Palestinian descent, is also on the boat.

She has been barred from entering Israel because of her opposition to Israel’s policies towards Palestinians.

Ms Hassan wrote on X as the FFC’s yacht was allegedly surrounded by other vessels: “The crew of the Freedom Flotilla was arrested by the Israeli army in international waters around 2am.”

The diversion of the Madleen comes after Israel’s defence minister Israel Katz said that he had instructed the Israeli Defence Forces to prevent the vessel from reaching the shore and to “take whatever measures necessary”.

Image: The Madleen was heading for Gaza

Addressing Ms Thunberg and the other activists on Sunday, he said: “You should turn back – because you will not reach Gaza.”

He wrote on X: “I have instructed the IDF to act so that the ‘Madeleine’ hate flotilla does not reach the shores of Gaza – and to take any means necessary to that end.

“To the anti-Semitic Greta and her fellow Hamas propaganda spokespeople, I say clearly: You should turn back – because you will not reach Gaza.

“Israel will act against any attempt to break the blockade or assist terrorist organisations – at sea, in the air and on land.”

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:38 Why is Greta sailing to Gaza?

Israel started allowing some basic aid into Gaza last month after a three-month total blockade aimed at pressuring Hamas and preventing the group from importing arms.

But humanitarian workers have warned of famine unless there is an end to the blockade and the 20-month war, which was ignited by the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023.

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An attempt last month by Freedom Flotilla to reach Gaza by sea failed after another of the group’s vessels was attacked by two drones while sailing in international waters off Malta.

The group blamed Israel for the attack, which damaged the front section of the ship.

Israel has intercepted a Gaza-bound aid ship carrying Greta Thunberg and other prominent activists, detaining those onboard and taking them to Israel.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) earlier said the Israeli military had boarded the “Madleen,” which was attempting to deliver aid to Gaza – where more than 600 days of war, and an 11-week Israeli blockade of all aid, have pushed the enclave’s 2.1 million people deeper into a hunger crisis.

Climate activist Thunberg, “Game of Thrones” actor Liam Cunningham and Rima Hassan — a French member of the European Parliament — are among those on the “Madleen.”

“(The vessel) is safely making its way to the shores of Israel. The passengers are expected to return to their home countries,” Israel’s Foreign Ministry said in a post on X early Monday local time.

The foreign ministry posted a video showing members of the “Madleen” crew sitting side by side wearing orange life jackets while a solider hands them water and sandwiches. Thunberg can be seen sitting near the front of the group.

The FFC had earlier said the ship had come “under assault in international waters,” in a Telegram post.

“Quadcopters are surrounding the ship, spraying it with a white paint-like substance. Communications are jammed, and disturbing sounds are being played over the radio,” the FFC said. A video posted by Israel’s foreign ministry appeared to show a Navy staffer sending a radio message to the vessel saying the “maritime zone off the coast of Gaza was closed.”

In a video livestreamed from the boat, activist Yasmin Acar showed a white substance on the deck, saying it had been dropped on the vessel. Acar was later heard saying it was affecting her eyes.

The FFC group also posted a video on Telegram, showing members of the crew sitting inside the boat with their hands in the air.

After losing communication with the vessel, the FFC began posting pre-recorded video messages from Thunberg and others onboard. “If you see this video, we have been intercepted and kidnapped in international waters by the Israeli occupational forces, or forces that support Israel,” Thunberg said in her video.

Israel had repeatedly vowed to stop the aid boat from reaching Gaza, and described the ship as a “selfie yacht” carrying “celebrities.”

“I have instructed the IDF to ensure that the ‘Madleen’ flotilla does not reach Gaza,” Israeli defense minister Israel Katz said on Sunday.

After the flotilla crew members were detained, a spokesperson for Katz said he had instructed the military to screen videos of the Hamas attacks on Israel from October 7, 2023 to the activists upon their arrival at Ashdod Port.

Israel’s foreign ministry said the group “attempted to stage a media provocation whose sole purpose was to gain publicity.”

“There are ways to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip — they do not involve Instagram selfies,” it added.

In an earlier statement on Monday, the ministry said “unauthorized attempts to breach the blockade are dangerous, unlawful, and undermine ongoing humanitarian efforts.”

The “Madleen” is part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, an organization that has campaigned against Israel’s blockade of Gaza and tried to break the siege by boat.

The crew, which had publicized the location of the ship with an online tracker, began preparing for the possibility of interception by the Israeli military. On Monday morning, the UK-flagged civilian vessel was north of Egypt in the Mediterranean Sea, slowly approaching the coast of Gaza, but the tracker has since appeared to have stopped.

“We know that it’s a very risky mission and we know that previous experiences with flotillas like this have resulted in attacks, violence and even cases of death,” Thunberg told CNN on Saturday.

Israel halted all humanitarian aid into Gaza in early March, and the ban on all humanitarian aid meant no supplies entered the territory for 11 weeks.

Faced with growing international pressure, Israel has begun allowing a trickle of aid in once again. But it is only a fraction of the aid that entered the enclave before the war, with humanitarian organizations warning of a worsening humanitarian crisis and the growing risk of widespread famine. A UN-backed report warned in late April that one in five people were facing starvation. (CNN)