Palestinians in Gaza, in desperate need of food, will not receive aid from Greta Thunberg and other activists.
Environmental activist Greta Thunberg and her fellow passengers were unable to deliver desperately needed humanitarian aid to the starving population of Gaza.
Their vessel, which was carrying supplies intended for Gazans, was intercepted by Israeli authorities off the Mediterranean coast.
On board the ship were several public figures, including Thunberg herself.
The incident was confirmed by the Israeli government and reported by CNN, which noted that the passengers were detained and transported to Israel.
The ship, named Madleen, was part of an initiative organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), an international network aiming to challenge the Israeli blockade through symbolic maritime missions. Among the passengers were actor Liam Cunningham—known for his role in Game of Thrones—and European Parliament member Rima Hassan, according to CNN.
According to flotilla organizers, the Israeli military boarded the ship while it was still in international waters. In a statement shared via its Telegram channel, the FFC claimed the vessel was “raided,” its communications disrupted, and a “white substance” was sprayed by drones above the deck.
CNN also reported that activist Yasmin Acar, one of the passengers, livestreamed a video showing the white substance covering the deck and said it was causing eye irritation. Before the stream ended, she noted that Israeli forces were in communication with the ship’s crew.
Huwaida Arraf, a U.S.-based attorney and FFC board member, told CNN that “Israeli drones sprayed a white chemical substance over the Madleen, which is now surrounded by naval commandos.”
Israel defended the operation, accusing the passengers of staging a publicity stunt. The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, quoted by CNN, said the group was attempting “a media provocation whose sole purpose is visibility,” adding, “There are official channels for delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza. These are not boats full of influencers.”
This is not the first time Israel has taken action against such maritime missions. The government has consistently stated that it will block any vessel attempting to reach Gaza outside of authorized frameworks. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told CNN he had “ordered the military to ensure the Madleen flotilla does not reach the Gaza Strip.”
Israeli authorities also accused the voyage organizers of antisemitism, despite their stated goal of delivering emergency relief to Palestinians facing acute food shortages.
Before departure, Greta Thunberg acknowledged the potential dangers involved. Speaking to CNN, she said, “We know these kinds of missions have previously led to violence and even deaths. But the need to act outweighs the fear.”
Following more than two months of near-total blockade, Israel recently began allowing limited amounts of aid into Gaza. However, humanitarian agencies continue to warn that the deliveries fall drastically short of what’s needed, with fears of widespread famine mounting. The flotilla’s organizers said their goal was to draw global attention to what they describe as a “humanitarian emergency” in Gaza.
Still, Israel views any attempt to bypass its blockade as “illegal and dangerous,” according to an official statement by its foreign ministry cited by CNN. The statement added, “Humanitarian efforts must be conducted through coordinated and recognized mechanisms”—mechanisms that critics say are being deliberately obstructed by the Israeli government, which reportedly aims to claim 75% of Gaza’s territory.
The Madleen, sailing under a British flag, was last tracked on Monday morning north of Egypt, slowly making its way toward Gaza’s shores, according to CNN. However, it ultimately never reached its destination.
Inside Israel, frustration over the Netanyahu government’s actions in Gaza is growing. Numerous protests have taken place demanding an end to military operations that have, according to reports, claimed the lives of over 50,000 Palestinians since the October Hamas-led attacks that killed more than 1,200 Israelis.
Among the protesters are members of the Israeli military reserves, some of whom have refused to participate in continued bombardments of Gaza. One reservist captain, interviewed by ABC News, described the campaign as “ethnic cleansing” in Palestine. “It’s a war without justification,” he stated.
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