The Madleen ship carrying activists and a limited amount of humanitarian aid that was trying to enter the Gaza Strip has been stopped by Israeli authorities.
Climate activist Greta Thunberg are among the 12 people on the ship.
Thunberg said that the Madleen boat's crew and she had been “kidnapped by Israeli forces.”
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Freedom Flotilla Coalition says its searching for the crew
Monday 9 June 2025 15:51 , Nuray BulbulThe Freedom Flotilla Coalition claims to be “urgently” searching for the Madleen's crew.
“They are not in its custody, according to the Israeli Immigration Authority” said Hay Sha Wiya, a communications officer for the advocacy group.
Since the early hours of this morning, Mr Wiya claims that numerous attempts have also been made to get in touch with Israeli military officers.
Madleen still on route to Israeli port, foreign ministry says
Monday 9 June 2025 15:17 , Nuray BulbulIsrael's foreign ministry says the Madleen is continuing its journey toward an Israeli port.
In a post on X, it adds: “Upon arrival, arrangements will be made for their return to their respective home countries.”
Madleen ships aid will be sent to Gaza, Israeli government says
Monday 9 June 2025 14:17 , Nuray BulbulDavid Mencer, the spokesman for the Israeli government, mentioned the Madleen ship during a press conference, saying:
“On the subject of aid, the yacht had a meagre cargo but of course it will be sent into Gaza.
“To poor Greta, we say, who is really feeding Gaza and who is feeding their own ego.
“When it comes to this flotilla, it wasn’t a flotilla, it was a selfie yacht. It was Instagram activism.”
What happens next?
Monday 9 June 2025 13:32 , Nuray BulbulThe ship was halted by Israeli commandos around 185 kilometres (100 nautical miles) from Gaza.
At the time, it was in international waters. Most international nations consider Israel's siege of Gaza to be unlawful. Only their territorial seas, not international waters, are subject to sovereign rights under international law, as do nations and their armed forces.
Good morning to all our followers 🇮🇱☀️
— Israel ישראל (@Israel) June 9, 2025
In case you missed it:
🥪 The ‘selfie yacht’ is safely making its way to the shores of Israel. The passengers are safe and were provided with sandwiches and water, and are expected to return to their home countries.
🤏 The tiny amount of… pic.twitter.com/Gfn9I3ZI2l
The Madleen crew are currently being transported to Ashdod, a port city, according to Israeli media.
In addition to making fun of Thunberg, Israel's Foreign Ministry stated on X that they are anticipated to be transported to their home countries.
Downing Street wants situation resolved
Monday 9 June 2025 12:49Israel must resolve the Madleen yacht situation "safely with restraint, in line with international humanitarian law", Downing Street told reporters at a briefing.
A spokesperson for the Prime Minister said "we have made clear our position in relation to the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
“The PM has called it appaling and intolerable,” according to the BBC.
Israeli activists gather in Ashdod
Monday 9 June 2025 12:17 , Nuray BulbulIsraeli activists opposing and supporting the 12 pro-Palestinian activists on board the Madleen have gathered at the Ashdod port, where the ship is expected to dock soon.
Where is the Madleen ship now: tracker stops early hours of Monday
Monday 9 June 2025 11:25 , Nuray BulbulThe final signal from the GPS tracker that was tracking the Madleen ship headed for Gaza was sent out between 1.05am and 1.19am on Monday morning.
Israeli forces boarded the boat at the same moment, according to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC).
The ship’s current whereabouts is not known but Israel officials suggest the ship is on its way to the Israeli port city of Ashdod.
What do we know?
Monday 9 June 2025 11:12 , Sean MartinKnown as the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the group's goal was to transport essential supplies including rice, wheat, and baby formula to Gaza.
“The ship was unlawfully boarded, its unarmed civilian crew abducted, and its life-saving cargo - including baby formula, food and medical supplies -confiscated.” the group revealed in a statement.
It is unclear when the ship will arrive in the Israeli port city of Ashdod. Although local media had stated the ship had docked, Israeli officials believe the ship is still on route.
A UN official has requested that more ships “sail together” to provide aid to Gaza, and the Palestinian foreign ministry has demanded that the activists' safety be protected.
Defence Minister Israel Katz said in a statement through his spokesperson that he has directed the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) to show those aboard the video of the October 7 attacks when they get to Ashdod Port.
He said: “Antisemitic Greta and her Hamas-supporting friends should see exactly what the Hamas terrorist organisation - which they came to support and act on behalf of - truly is.
“They should see the atrocities committed against women, the elderly, and children, and understand whom Israel is fighting to defend itself.”
What has Israel said after stopping the ship?
Monday 9 June 2025 11:04 , Nuray BulbulIn one of its updates, the ministry revealed that the 12 crew members were “safe and unharmed” following their intercept.
The ministry has also called the ship a “selfie yacht” and said the aid on board is a “media gimmick.”
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
Who is on board the Madleen?
Monday 9 June 2025 10:50 , Nuray BulbulThe Madleen ship, which is now en route to the Israeli port of Ashdod, is carrying 12 activists.
The most well-known of them is Greta Thunberg, a 22-year-old Swedish climate activist.
Other members include:
- Rima Hassan, French-Palestinian European Parliament member
- Baptiste Andre, a French physician
- Omar Faiad, a French journalist with Al Jazeera who is covering the trip
- Yanis Mhamdi, a journalist at the French independent media outlet, Blast, to report on the trip
- Pascal Maurieras, a French activist
- Thiago Avila, a Brazilian journalist, social activist and politician
- Reva Viard, a climate activist from France
- Suayb Ordu, a Turkish activist
- Sergio Toribio, a crew member from Spain and a member of the marine conservation NGO, Sea Shepherd
- Marco Van Rennes, a Dutch marine engineering student and crew member
- Yasemin Acar, a German activist of Kurdish descent
