Greta Thunberg has been ‘kidnapped by Israeli forces’ after they stopped the aid boat that 12 activists were sailing on.
They left for Gaza on June 1 on The Madleen, operated by activist group Freedom Flotilla Coalition.
They left from Catania, Italy with help for those suffering in Gaza.
As reported by LBC, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) Brigadier General said: “We have gained experience in recent years, and we will act accordingly.
“We are well prepared.”
Thunberg shared: “We are doing this because, no matter what odds we are against, we have to keep trying. Because the moment we stop trying is when we lose our humanity,”,
“And, no matter how dangerous this mission is, it’s nowhere near as dangerous as the silence of the entire world in the face of the live-streamed genocide.”
Now, the activists, who were bringing flour, rice, baby formula and other necessary aid to the people, have been intercepted by Israeli armed forces and were taken to the post of Ashdod – where they were shown a video of the October 7 attacks.
The organizers claim that the 12 activists were ‘kidnapped by Israeli forces’ and that their boat was ‘unlawfully boarded’.
The Israeli army surrounded the "Madeliene" ship with five warboats and forcibly seized it while it was sailing to #Gaza to aid its children and break the suffocating siege.#FreedomFlotilla #MadleenFlotilla pic.twitter.com/gSonHWwuGb
— Soliman Hijjy (@SolimanHijjy) June 9, 2025
Israel’s Foreign Ministry wrote on X: ‘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.’
Israel Katz said: ‘I have instructed the IDF to act to prevent the ‘Madeleine’ hate flotilla from reaching the shores of Gaza – and to take whatever measures are necessary to that end.
‘To the anti-Semitic Greta and her fellow Hamas propaganda spokespeople, I say clearly: You should turn back – because you will not reach Gaza.’
‘Israel will act against any attempt to break the blockade or assist terrorist organizations – at sea, in the air, and on land.’
Those on board were sharing updates on social media but contact has since been cut off.
UN special rapporteur, Francesca Albanese, claimed the last contact she had was when the soldiers boarded the ship.
The crew also noted before this, that there appeared to be a white substance like ‘paint’ dropped on the boat via drones.