A Gaza-bound aid vessel carrying climate activist Greta Thunberg and 11 others arrived at Israel’s Ashdod port on Monday evening after being intercepted by Israeli forces.
The activists had set sail aboard the "Madleen" to deliver humanitarian aid and protest Israel’s blockade on Gaza, tightened amid the ongoing war with Hamas.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the activists are undergoing health checks and will be deported. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which organized the mission, accused Israel of unlawfully seizing the ship in international waters and called the interception a violation of international law.
In a prerecorded message, Thunberg urged supporters to pressure the Swedish government for her release. Israeli officials dismissed the mission as a publicity stunt, claiming the boat carried minimal aid and branding it “Instagram activism.”
Among those on board was Rima Hassan, a French MEP of Palestinian descent. French President Emmanuel Macron called for the return of the French citizens and renewed calls for a ceasefire and end to the blockade.
The "Madleen" had departed from Sicily and rescued four migrants along the way. This marks the second failed sea attempt by the group to reach Gaza in recent weeks.
Gaza has been under blockade since 2007. The current war has displaced most of its 2 million residents and killed over 54,000 people, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
The activists had set sail aboard the "Madleen" to deliver humanitarian aid and protest Israel’s blockade on Gaza, tightened amid the ongoing war with Hamas.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the activists are undergoing health checks and will be deported. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which organized the mission, accused Israel of unlawfully seizing the ship in international waters and called the interception a violation of international law.
In a prerecorded message, Thunberg urged supporters to pressure the Swedish government for her release. Israeli officials dismissed the mission as a publicity stunt, claiming the boat carried minimal aid and branding it “Instagram activism.”
Among those on board was Rima Hassan, a French MEP of Palestinian descent. French President Emmanuel Macron called for the return of the French citizens and renewed calls for a ceasefire and end to the blockade.
The "Madleen" had departed from Sicily and rescued four migrants along the way. This marks the second failed sea attempt by the group to reach Gaza in recent weeks.
Gaza has been under blockade since 2007. The current war has displaced most of its 2 million residents and killed over 54,000 people, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
