The Israeli military has intercepted a boat named ‘Madeleine’ carrying Left-Islamist activists attempting to breach Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza. The boat, which included Swedish left-wing activist and prominent Woke figure Greta Thunberg, along with eleven others such as French Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Rima Hassan and German activist Yasmin Akar, was intercepted early this morning.
Israel had earlier declared that it would not permit any vessel to bypass the naval blockade imposed to prevent Hamas from smuggling weapons by sea. Defence Minister Israel Katz had stated that the military had been instructed to stop the vessel ‘Madeleine’ from approaching the Gaza coast. The first ship of the Freedom Flotilla to Gaza was attacked by a drone off the coast of Malta in May.
'All Israel is doing is what any normal country would do in these circumstances, try to repel these people with an enemy agenda.'
Zoe Strimpel weighs in on Israel saying it will 'take whatever measures necessary' to stop Greta Thunberg's boat reaching Gaza with aid. pic.twitter.com/oYJjWJp2xH
— GB News (@GBNEWS) June 8, 2025
The intercepted aid boat was part of a mission organised by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC). Israel claims that the British-flagged ship ‘Madeleine’ was carrying a pro-Palestinian group. The vessel had departed from Sicily, Italy, on June 6. According to a statement from the group, the mission aimed to reach the Gaza Strip by the evening of June 9 without being stopped by Israeli forces. However, the entire crew of the Freedom Flotilla boat was arrested by the military yesterday.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry released a video on Twitter showing Israeli forces taking control of the boat and feeding the crew members, who were seen wearing life jackets. The ministry stated that the army intercepted the aid boat after it attempted to violate the Gaza naval blockade. It further added that humanitarian aid to Gaza would be delivered through approved channels.
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
Meanwhile, five people were killed in two separate shootings in southern Gaza. The incidents occurred near the food distribution centres of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which operates with Israeli approval, in Rafah and Khan Younis. The Israeli army said it opened fire on individuals who were approaching troops under suspicious circumstances.
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