Greta Thunberg and others aboard seized boat will be returned to home countries, Israel says

Published connected 09/06/2025 - 4:06 GMT+2•Updated 16:50

A group of activists, including Greta Thunberg, will beryllium returned to their location countries aft nan Gaza-bound vessel they were travelling connected was seized, Israeli authorities said connected Monday.

It says nan assistance connected committee will beryllium transferred to nan Strip and distributed done established channels.

Early connected Monday morning, Israeli forces intercepted and seized nan Madleen, which was heading to Gaza to present humanitarian assistance successful what nan activists said was a protestation against Israel's ongoing subject run successful nan Strip.

Israel's Foreign Ministry dismissed nan voyage arsenic a nationalist relations stunt, saying successful a station connected X that "the 'selfie yacht' of nan 'celebrities' is safely making its measurement to nan shores of Israel."

It circulated footage of what appeared to beryllium Israeli subject unit handing retired sandwiches and h2o to nan activists, who were wearing orangish life vests.

Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani, an Israeli subject spokesperson, said nan vessel was still en way to Israel astir midday Monday, wherever it is expected to dock astatine nan larboard of Ashdod.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which had organised nan voyage, said nan activists were "kidnapped by Israeli forces".

"The vessel was unlawfully boarded, its unarmed civilian unit abducted, and its life-saving cargo — including babe formula, nutrient and aesculapian supplies — confiscated," it said successful a statement.

It said nan vessel was seized successful world waters immoderate 200 kilometres from Gaza.

A weeklong voyage

Thunberg, a ambiance campaigner, was among 12 activists aboard nan Madleen, which group sail from Sicily a week ago.

Along nan way, it had reportedly stopped successful nan Mediterranean Sea connected Thursday to rescue 4 migrants who had jumped overboard to debar being detained by nan Libyan seashore guard.

"I impulse each my friends, family and comrades to put unit connected nan Swedish authorities to merchandise maine and nan others arsenic soon arsenic possible," Thunberg said successful a pre-recorded connection released aft nan vessel was seized.

Rima Hassan, a Syrian-born French MEP of Palestinian background, was besides among nan volunteers connected board.

Hassan has been barred from entering Israel successful nan past. She was among six French citizens aboard nan boat.

French President Emmanuel Macron asked Israel to let them to return to France arsenic soon arsenic possible, his agency said successful a statement.

Adalah, a authorities group successful Israel that said it was representing nan activists, said Israel had "no ineligible authority" to return complete nan vessel because it was successful world waters.

"The apprehension of nan unarmed activists, who operated successful a civilian mode to supply humanitarian aid, amounts to a superior breach of world law," Adalah said successful a statement.

After an almost three-month blockade aimed astatine pressuring Hamas, Israel started allowing immoderate basal assistance into Gaza past month. Humanitarian workers and experts opportunity it is not capable and person warned of famine unless nan blockade is lifted and Israel ends its subject offensive.

An effort past period by Freedom Flotilla to scope Gaza by oversea grounded aft different of nan group's vessels was attacked by 2 drones while sailing successful world waters disconnected Malta, organisers said.

The group blamed Israel for the attack, which damaged nan beforehand conception of nan ship.