JERUSALEM — On June 9, 2025, Israeli naval forces intercepted the British-flagged vessel Madleen in international waters as it attempted to breach the naval blockade of the Gaza Strip. The ship, operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), was carrying 12 activists, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and French Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan.

The Madleen had departed from Catania, Sicily, on June 1, 2025, with the stated aim of delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza. The cargo included baby formula, flour, rice, diapers, menstrual products, water desalination kits, medical supplies, crutches, and children's prosthetics. En route, the vessel altered its course on June 5 to assist a small boat carrying Sudanese migrants, rescuing four individuals who were later transferred to the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex).

Israeli authorities confirmed that the Madleen was escorted to the port of Ashdod. The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the vessel as a "selfie yacht" and characterized the mission as a media provocation. Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the interception was necessary to prevent what he termed a propaganda effort in support of Hamas. He ordered that the detained activists be shown footage of the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas on Israeli territory.

The FFC condemned the interception, alleging that the vessel was unlawfully boarded and that its unarmed civilian crew was abducted. The organization called for the immediate release of the activists and the delivery of the aid cargo to Gaza. Israeli officials indicated that the aid would be rerouted through established humanitarian channels.

The incident has prompted international reactions. Protests were reported in various cities, including Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, and Adelaide. Demonstrators called for the release of the detained activists and criticized Israel's enforcement of the blockade.

The naval blockade of Gaza has been in place since 2007, following Hamas's takeover of the territory. Israel asserts that the blockade is necessary to prevent weapons from reaching Hamas, while critics argue that it constitutes collective punishment of Gaza's civilian population. The current conflict, which escalated after the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas that resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and the abduction of 251 hostages, has led to significant casualties and displacement within Gaza. According to Gaza health officials, over 54,000 Palestinians have been killed, and approximately 90% of the population has been displaced.

The Madleen's interception follows a previous incident in May 2025, when another vessel associated with the FFC was reportedly attacked by drones in international waters near Malta. The FFC attributed the attack to Israeli forces, though this claim has not been independently verified. The ongoing enforcement of the blockade and the interception of aid vessels continue to draw international scrutiny amid the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.