Israeli navy intercepts activist boat Madleen, towing it to Israel VIDEO

The activist vessel Madleen, bound for Gaza and carrying 12 pro-Palestinian activists, was intercepted and boarded by the Israeli Navy shortly before being towed to Israel, Israeli authorities confirmed.

“The ‘selfie yacht’ of the ‘celebrities’ is safely making its way to the shores of Israel. The passengers are expected to return to their home countries,” the Foreign Ministry stated, Caliber.Az reports per Israeli media.

No injuries were reported following the boarding operation, though the current whereabouts of those on board remain unclear. The activists claimed their mission was to raise awareness and deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. However, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the organizing group, has since lost contact with the vessel. On Telegram, the coalition posted a series of pre-recorded videos featuring the passengers pleading for assistance from their home countries.

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

Israel’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the mission as a publicity stunt, accusing the activists, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, of attempting to “stage a media provocation whose sole purpose was to gain publicity.” The ministry emphasized that the boat carried “less than a single truckload of aid” and highlighted that “more than 1,200 aid trucks have entered Gaza from Israel within the past two weeks, and in addition, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has distributed close to 11 million meals directly to civilians in Gaza.”

“There are ways to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip — they do not involve Instagram selfies. The tiny amount of aid that was on the yacht and not consumed by the ‘celebrities’ will be transferred to Gaza through real humanitarian channels,” the ministry added.

The Israeli military refrained from commenting directly on the incident, referring inquiries to the Foreign Ministry’s statement. The interception marks the latest in a series of confrontations surrounding attempts to breach the maritime blockade of Gaza.

Meanwhile, climate activist Greta Thunberg has accused Israel of “kidnapping” her and 11 others aboard the British-flagged yacht Madleen in international waters, according to a video released by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC).

SOS! the volunteers on 'Madleen' have been kidnapped by Israeli forces.
Greta Thunberg is a Swedish citizen.
Pressure their foreign ministries and help us keep them safe!

Web: https://t.co/uCGmx8sn8j
X : @SweMFA
FB : @SweMFA
IG : swedishmfa#AllEyesOnMadeleen pic.twitter.com/76Myrg2Bnz

— Freedom Flotilla Coalition (@GazaFFlotilla) June 9, 2025

The vessel, operated by the FFC, sought to deliver symbolic humanitarian aid—including baby formula and rice—to Gaza on June 9, aiming to draw attention to the ongoing crisis in the region.

In the video, Thunberg urgently called for international intervention, stating, “I urge all my friends, family, and comrades to put pressure on the Swedish government to release me and the others as soon as possible”.

The FFC reported on Telegram that the yacht was boarded overnight before it could reach Gaza’s shores, a fact later confirmed by Israel’s Foreign Ministry. 

By Vafa Guliyeva