Israeli forces intercept Gaza-bound aid ship carrying Greta Thunberg

Israeli military forces intercepted a Gaza-bound aid vessel carrying climate activist Greta Thunberg and other prominent international activists today, detaining the passengers and towing the ship to Israel. The vessel, named Madleen, was carrying Thunberg and other activists who were detained by Israel’s military at sea.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition had organised the mission to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, where the population of 2.1 million people faces severe shortages after months of conflict and blockade. The ship was



launched by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and initially planned to sail from Malta last month, but the group’s ship was damaged in a drone attack. The vessel eventually departed from the Italian port of Catania on June 1st.

Among the detained activists were Thunberg, Game of Thrones actor Liam Cunningham, and Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament. The Madleen crew is being detained by Israeli forces after their ship was stopped close to 160km from Gaza.