Greta Thunberg, Rima Hassan Detained as Israeli Navy Intercepts Gaza-Bound Freedom Flotilla

Tel Aviv, June 9, 2025 – Swedish climate icon and a French Member of the European Parliament, Greta Thunberg, Rima Hassan Detained as Israeli Navy Intercepts Gaza-Bound Freedom Flotilla.  The Israeli Navy has intercepted a British-flagged yacht named Madleen, carrying humanitarian activists including Swedish climate icon Greta Thunberg and French Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan.

The vessel, which was part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), was en route to Gaza in an attempt to break the ongoing Israeli blockade and deliver symbolic aid. The Madleen departed from the Sicilian port of Catania on June 1 and was carrying a group of 12 international activists aiming to draw global attention to the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza.

The ship, however, was intercepted early Monday morning around 2 a.m. in international waters.

Greta Thunberg, Rima Hassan Detained as Israeli Navy Intercepts Gaza-Bound Freedom Flotilla

Interception in International Waters Sparks Global Attention

According to posts from Rima Hassan on X (formerly Twitter), Israeli forces boarded the vessel and detained all on board. Images shared by activists showed passengers in life jackets with their hands raised as Israeli commandos secured the boat.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry later shared a video showing the crew receiving refreshments, including water and sandwiches, during the detention process.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition reported a sudden loss of communication with the Madleen after an intense period where quadcopters reportedly sprayed the deck with a white paint-like substance and disturbing sounds were broadcasted over radio frequencies. Activists claim this disrupted their navigation and communication systems.

Israel Labels the Voyage a “Publicity Stunt”

The Israeli Foreign Ministry dismissed the flotilla mission as a “media provocation,” branding the yacht a “selfie vessel of celebrities.” In a strongly worded statement, Israel emphasized that the aid on board amounted to less than a single truckload and accused the activists of seeking publicity rather than genuinely helping Gaza residents.

“There are ways to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip they do not involve Instagram selfies,” the Ministry posted, further claiming that the symbolic aid, which included baby formula and rice, would be transferred to Gaza through official humanitarian channels.

Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered the interception personally and stated, “To the anti-Semitic Greta and her fellow Hamas propaganda spokespeople, I say clearly: You will not reach Gaza.”

Freedom Flotilla Coalition Denounces Israeli Blockade

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), a grassroots organization opposing the blockade of Gaza, condemned the Israeli action. The group maintains that the naval blockade is illegal under international law and constitutes collective punishment of Gaza’s 2.1 million residents.

“We will not be intimidated. The world is watching,” the FFC said in a statement, asserting that the Madleen was an unarmed civilian vessel carrying legitimate humanitarian aid and human rights defenders from various nations.

This latest mission follows a failed voyage in May when another FFC vessel, Conscience, was allegedly damaged by a drone strike in international waters near Malta. Although Israel neither confirmed nor denied responsibility, the group pointed to Tel Aviv for the attack.

Who is Rima Hassan?

French-Palestinian MEP Rima Hassan has emerged as a vocal advocate for Palestinian rights. Born in Aleppo, Syria, and raised in France, Hassan is a jurist and founder of the Refugee Camps Observatory.

She was elected to the European Parliament in June 2024 and serves on the Foreign Affairs Committee and Subcommittee on Human Rights.

Hassan has consistently criticized Israel’s policies in Gaza and called for a democratic bi-national solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. She was denied entry into Israel earlier this year due to her support for the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement.

Gaza’s Humanitarian Crisis Intensifies

The Madleen’s mission highlights growing international concern over Gaza’s worsening humanitarian crisis. Following the October 2023 Hamas attack that killed over 1,200 Israelis and took 250 hostages, Israel launched a prolonged military campaign. Gaza’s health authorities claim more than 54,000 Palestinians have been killed, with a large portion of the population facing famine-like conditions.

Israel implemented a full blockade on Gaza in March 2025, cutting off aid, medical supplies, and essential goods. Under mounting international pressure, a limited flow of aid resumed in late May, but humanitarian agencies warn it is grossly insufficient.

The newly formed US- and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) has distributed around 11 million meals, but UN agencies say the situation remains dire. The replacement of the UN-led aid system by the GHF has raised safety concerns after several civilians were killed while attempting to access food.

International Backlash and Human Rights Concerns

The interception has sparked a wave of criticism from global human rights groups and political leaders. Hamas called the move a “flagrant violation of international law,” while European activists demanded the immediate release of the detainees.

Israel maintains that its naval blockade is necessary to prevent weapons smuggling into Gaza, particularly to Hamas militants. Officials said all vessels attempting unauthorized entry will be stopped, regardless of who is on board.

Guy Nir, a spokesperson for the Israeli Embassy, told NDTV: “Like they bring in aid they might bring in other things, like ammunition. Hence, we need to check before entry.”

Thunberg: “If You See This Video, We’ve Been Kidnapped”

In a pre-recorded video released after the interception, Greta Thunberg declared: “If you see this video, we have been intercepted and kidnapped in international waters by the Israeli occupational forces.”

Thunberg, known globally for her environmental activism, has recently expanded her focus to include social justice issues, particularly the Gaza conflict. She had previously warned in an interview that this mission was risky, recalling that past flotillas had ended in violence or sabotage.

Conclusion

The seizure of the Madleen has once again placed the Gaza blockade under global scrutiny. While Israel defends its security measures, activists and rights groups argue that these policies worsen an already dire humanitarian situation and violate international norms. As calls grow for an end to the blockade and more equitable humanitarian access, this high-profile interception is likely to intensify global debate on Israel’s conduct in Gaza and the rights of civilians to deliver aid by sea.

Also Read: Greta Thunberg Detained by Israel During Gaza Aid Mission: Flotilla Interception Sparks Global Outcry

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