Israel’s navy tells Gaza-bound aid ship Madleen to change course – live
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Israeli Foreign Ministry says army seized Gaza-bound aid ship Madleen, towing it to Israel
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Israeli forces board charity boat bound for Gaza with activist Greta Thunburg aboard
The British-flagged yacht Madleen had departed from Sicily on June 6. It was carrying a symbolic shipment of humanitarian aid, including rice and baby formula. Israel imposed a naval blockade on the coastal enclave after Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007. The blockade has remained in place through multiple conflicts, including the current war, which began after a Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, according to an Israeli tally.
The British-flagged yacht Madleen, operated by the pro-Palestinian FFC, had departed from Sicily on June 6 and had hoped to reach Gaza later in the day, when the interception occurred, the group said on its Telegram account.
Among those on board the boat are Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament.
The Israeli military had no immediate comment.
Shortly before the FFC statement, the Israeli Foreign Ministry posted a video on X showing the Israeli Navy communicating with the Madleen over a loudspeaker, urging it to change course.
“The maritime zone off the coast of Gaza is closed to naval traffic as part of a legal naval blockade,” a soldier said. “If you wish to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, you are able to do so through the (Israeli) port of Ashdod.”
A drone view of the Gaza-bound aid ship Madleen, organized by the international NGO Freedom Flotilla Coalition, anchored off Catania, Italy, on June 1. Danilo Arnone / Reuters
The yacht, with its 12-person crew, was carrying a symbolic shipment of humanitarian aid, including rice and baby formula.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered the military on Sunday to prevent the Madleen from reaching Gaza, calling the mission a propaganda effort in support of Hamas.
Israel imposed a naval blockade on the coastal enclave after Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007.
The blockade has remained in place through multiple conflicts, including the current war, which began after a Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, that killed more than 1,200 people, according to an Israeli tally.
Gaza’s health ministry says over 54,000 Palestinians have been killed since the start of Israel’s military campaign.
The United Nations has warned that most of Gaza’s more than 2 million residents are facing famine.
Gaza aid ship activists accuse Israel of ‘forcibly intercepting’ vessel as Israeli foreign ministry says ship heading to Israel – live
The Madleen left the port of Catania in Sicily, southern Italy, on 1 June. It was attempting to bring in a symbolic amount of aid and raise international awareness. A months-long aid blockade on the territory was slightly eased in mid-May. But malnutrition is spreading, medics and aid workers have warned. UN officials describe Gaza as “the hungriest place on Earth’ The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), operating the vessel, is posting a series of pre-recorded videos of activist who were on board the Madleen. In one, Swedish citizen 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” In another, another activist tells the passengers to throw their phones overboard while a loudspeaker in the background says “don’t be afraid.”
3m 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
19m 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
32m 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
43m 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
48m 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
1h ago 02.32 BST Israel releases video of passengers from the Madleen Israel’s foreign ministry has posted a video of the activists from the Madleen, including French MEP Rima Hassan and climate activist Greta Thunberg. In its post, the ministry said “All the passengers of the ‘selfie yacht’ are safe and unharmed. They were provided with sandwiches and water. The show is over.” All the passengers of the ‘selfie yacht’ are safe and unharmed. They were provided with sandwiches and water. The show is over. pic.twitter.com/tLZZYcspJO — Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) June 9, 2025 The organisation behind the aid mission said in a statement earlier that the Israeli army boarded the vessel and “abducted” the crew. We had a statement from the Israeli foreign ministry in the last hour, saying those on board would be “expected to return to their home countries.” Share Updated at 03.17 BST
1h ago 02.27 BST The team working for French MEP, Rima Hassan, who is on board the Madleen, say they have lost contact with her. They claim she was “arrested in international waters by the Israeli army.” In a post on her X account, they released the last image from a live feed on board the vessel. The last image of the crew. pic.twitter.com/PkYQSLa3Ri — Rima Hassan (@RimaHas) June 9, 2025 Share Updated at 03.18 BST
1h ago 02.23 BST According to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the Madleen has 12 activists on board. Among them are Swedish climate activist, Greta Thunberg, and Rima Hassan, a French-Palestinian member of the European Parliament. Before leaving Sicily on board the Madleen, Thunberg told reporters: “We are doing this because, no matter what odds we are against, we have to keep trying. Because the moment we stop trying is when we lose our humanity. And, no matter how dangerous this mission is, it’s not even near as dangerous as the silence of the entire world in the face of the livestreamed genocide.” Share
1h 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
1h ago 02.05 BST Israel’s foreign ministry says Madleen is ‘making its way’ to Israel Israel’s foreign ministry has said that the Madleen is “safely making its way to the shores of Israel.” In a post on X, the ministry says “The passengers are expected to return to their home countries.” While Greta and others attempted to stage a media provocation whose sole purpose was to gain publicity — and which included less than a single truckload of aid — more than 1,200 aid trucks have entered Gaza from Israel within the past two weeks, and in addition, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has distributed close to 11 million meals directly to civilians in Gaza. There are ways to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip — they do not involve Instagram selfies.” Referring to the aid-vessel as a “selfie yacht”, the ministry says in the statement that the aid on board “will be transferred to Gaza through real humanitarian channels.” The “selfie yacht” of the “celebrities” is safely making its way to the shores of Israel. The passengers are expected to return to their home countries.
While Greta and others attempted to stage a media provocation whose sole purpose was to gain publicity — and which included… pic.twitter.com/eEZSJJHVfd — Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) June 9, 2025 Share
1h ago 01.59 BST The Freedom Flotilla Coalition shares video of the Madleen before communication lost The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, who are operating the Gaza-bound aid vessel, has posted a video from the Madleen in the moment before communication was lost. It shows a chaotic scene, as activists wearing life jackets, gather as lights flash around them. One person calls for everyone to “ditch their phones” and throw them overboard. From outside, a loudspeaker can be heard. The activists then sit and raise their hands, in what appears to be a preparation to be boarded. One of the members, speaking on a phone, says “we are being boarded, right now … everyone here is safe. No one is wounded right now … Please raise the alarm.” Share
2h ago 01.39 BST Earlier, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), the activist group operating the vessel, posted on Telegram, that the Madleen was “under assault in international waters.” Quadcopters are surrounding the ship, spraying it with a white irritant substance. Communications are jammed, and disturbing sounds are being played over the radio.” Before communication was apparently lost with the Madleen, a number of activists on board the vessel posted video and images of a white substance on the deck of the boat. Rima Hassan, a French member of the European parliament, posted this image to her X account in the last hour. pic.twitter.com/YJFNRjjcUg — Rima Hassan (@RimaHas) June 8, 2025 Share Updated at 02.19 BST
2h ago 01.36 BST Communications lost with Gaza-bound aid ship Multiple sources have reported that communications have been lost with the Gaza-bound Madleen, amid reports that it has been boarded by the Israeli army. Al Jazeeera, who have a journalist on board who has been running a live feed, said they lost communication with the vessel “after Israeli commandos intercepted it in international waters.” They demanded that everyone on board turn off their phones, and we have lost contact with Al Jazeera Mubasher journalist Omar Faiad as well as our live feed.” The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the group operating the vessel, said that “connection had been lost with the Madleen.” Share
2h ago 01.32 BST UN special rapporteur says she has lost communication with the Madleen Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories, has been in touch with the Madleen and says she lost connection with the captain a 1am UK time. I heard the soldiers speaking while the captain was on the phone with me. I lost connection with the captain as he was telling me that “another boat is approaching”. BREAKING
1AM UK time. Israeli speedboat reached Madleen. “At the time the boat was intercepted no one is wounded” the captain asked me to record. I heard the soldiers speaking while the captain was on the phone with me. I lost connection with the captain as he was telling me that… https://t.co/BVzbjd4zyK — Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur oPt (@FranceskAlbs) June 9, 2025 Share
2h ago 01.25 BST Freedom Flotilla Coalition says the Madleen has been boarded by the Israeli army In a post online, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) has said their aid ship, bound for Gaza, has been boarded by the Israeli army. Connection has been lost on the ‘Madleen’. Israeli army have boarded the vessel.” The Madleen says it is attempting to reach the shores of the territory to bring in a symbolic amount of aid and raise international awareness of the continuing humanitarian crisis. Earlier, there were reports from activist on board that Israeli drones were flying over head and spraying with “a white irritant substance.” Share
Israeli Forces Kidnap Activists from Aid Ship Bound for Gaza
Israeli forces have kidnapped activists aboard the Gaza-bound aid ship Madleen, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition said. Live footage earlier showed Israeli vessels surrounding the vessel, with soldiers ordering activists on board to raise their hands. The charity ship was trying to reach the Gaza Strip in defiance of Israel’s naval blockade. The ship was carrying a range of supplies desperately needed by Gazans, including infant formula, flour, rice, diapers, feminine hygiene products, water desalination equipment, medical supplies, crutches and children’s prosthetics. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered the military on Sunday to prevent Madleen from reaching Gaza, calling the mission a propaganda effort to support Hamas.
“SOS! The volunteers on the ‘Madleen’ have been kidnapped by Israeli forces,” the international NGO that organized the mission said on Telegram.
UN Special Rapporteur on Palestine Francesca Albanese, who contacted the ship’s captain by phone, said: “At the time the ship was intercepted, no one was injured — the captain asked me to record.”
She reported hearing Israeli soldiers talking in the background before the connection was cut off.
“I lost connection with the captain when he told me that another ship was approaching,” she added.
The charity ship was trying to reach the Gaza Strip in defiance of Israel’s naval blockade. The British-flagged cruise ship Madleen, operated by the FFC, had set off from Sicily on June 6 and was hoping to reach Gaza later in the day when it was intercepted, the group said on its Telegram account.
Among the 12 crew members on board were Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament.
The Israeli military has not commented.
Shortly before the FFC statement, the Israeli Foreign Ministry posted a video on X showing the Israeli Navy communicating with the Madleen via loudspeaker, urging it to change course.
“The maritime zone off the coast of Gaza is closed to naval traffic as part of the legitimate naval blockade,” a soldier said. “If you want to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, you can do so through the (Israeli) port of Ashdod.”
The ship was carrying a range of supplies desperately needed by Gazans, including infant formula, flour, rice, diapers, feminine hygiene products, water desalination equipment, medical supplies, crutches and children’s prosthetics, according to its organizers.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered the military on Sunday to prevent Madleen from reaching Gaza, calling the mission a propaganda effort to support Hamas.
Israel imposed a naval blockade on the coastal enclave after Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007.
The blockade has remained in place throughout several conflicts, including the current war, which began after a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, that killed more than 1,200 people, according to an Israeli tally.
Gaza’s health ministry says more than 54,880 Palestinians have been killed since the start of Israel’s genocide. The United Nations has warned that many of Gaza’s more than 2 million residents face starvation due to the brutal blockade that began March 2.
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Aid group says Israeli forces boarded Gaza-bound boat
The Madleen aimed to deliver aid and challenge Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza. Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and other activists were on board. Israel had vowed to prevent the ship from reaching the Palestinian territory. The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Navy had directed the boat to change course as it approached “a restricted area” About an hour later, it said the boat was being being towed to Israeli shores. The yacht was carrying a symbolic shipment of humanitarian aid, including rice and baby formula.
The Madleen aimed to deliver aid and challenge Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza, which has been in place since before the Israel-Hamas war.
“Connection has been lost on the ‘Madleen’. Israeli army have boarded the vessel,” the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) posted on Telegram, adding that the passengers had been “kidnapped” by Israeli forces.
AFP lost contact with the activists on board.
Mahmud Abu-Odeh, a Germany-based press officer with the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, told AFP that “the activists seemed to be arrested”.
The British-flagged Madleen, operated by the pro-Palestinian FFC, had departed from Sicily on Jun 6 and had hoped to reach Gaza later in the day, when the interception occurred, the group said on its Telegram account.
Among those on board the boat are Thunberg and Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament.
Israel had vowed to prevent the ship from reaching Gaza.
Shortly before the FFC statement, the Israeli Foreign Ministry posted a video on X showing the Israeli Navy communicating with the Madleen over a loudspeaker, urging it to change course.
“The maritime zone off the coast of Gaza is closed to naval traffic as part of a legal naval blockade,” a soldier said. “If you wish to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, you are able to do so through the (Israeli) port of Ashdod.”
The yacht, with its 12-person crew, was carrying a symbolic shipment of humanitarian aid, including rice and baby formula.
The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Navy had directed the boat to change course as it approached “a restricted area”. About an hour later, it said the boat was being towed to Israeli shores.
“The passengers are expected to return to their home countries,” the ministry wrote on social media.
“The tiny amount of aid that was on the yacht and not consumed by the ‘celebrities’ will be transferred to Gaza through real humanitarian channels,” the ministry added.