---
title: "Israeli forces board aid boat bound for Gaza, Freedom Flotilla Coalition says"
description: "JERUSALEM, June 9 (Reuters) - Israeli forces have boarded a charity vessel attempting to reach the Gaza Strip in defiance of an Israeli naval blockade, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) said early on Monday."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "Newsdeck"
author: "Reuters"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/reuters/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-06-09-israeli-forces-board-aid-boat-bound-for-gaza-freedom-flotilla-coalition-says/"
published: "2025-06-09T03:37:04"
updated: "2025-06-09T03:37:05"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 303
---

# Israeli forces board aid boat bound for Gaza, Freedom Flotilla Coalition says

> JERUSALEM, June 9 (Reuters) - Israeli forces have boarded a charity vessel attempting to reach the Gaza Strip in defiance of an Israeli naval blockade, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) said early on Monday.

By Reuters · Published 9 June 2025, 05:37 SAST · Updated 9 June 2025, 05:37 SAST

## Key points
- In a nautical twist of fate, the British-flagged yacht Madleen, carrying a crew that includes Greta Thunberg, found itself in a standoff with the Israeli Navy, who insisted that humanitarian aid can only be delivered through Ashdod, not via a symbolic sail to Gaza—because, apparently, the only thing worse than a blockade is a PR stunt on the high seas.
- The British yacht Madleen, carrying humanitarian aid and notable figures like Greta Thunberg, was intercepted by the Israeli military en route to Gaza.
- Israel's Defence Minister labeled the mission a propaganda effort for Hamas, reinforcing the ongoing naval blockade established in 2007.
- The Israeli Navy warned the yacht to change course, stating the Gaza maritime zone is closed to naval traffic.
- Amid the current conflict, Gaza's health ministry reports over 54,000 Palestinian casualties, with the UN warning of widespread famine.

## Content

The British-flagged yacht Madleen, operated by the pro-Palestinian FFC, had departed from Sicily on June 6 and had hoped to reach Gaza later in the day, when the interception occurred, the group said on its Telegram account.

Among those on board the boat are Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament.

The Israeli military had no immediate comment.

Shortly before the FFC statement, the Israeli Foreign Ministry posted a video on X showing the Israeli Navy communicating with the Madleen over a loudspeaker, urging it to change course.

"The maritime zone off the coast of Gaza is closed to naval traffic as part of a legal naval blockade," a soldier said. "If you wish to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, you are able to do so through the (Israeli) port of Ashdod."

The yacht, with its 12-person crew, was carrying a symbolic shipment of humanitarian aid, including rice and baby formula.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz ordered the military on Sunday to prevent the Madleen from reaching Gaza, calling the mission a propaganda effort in support of Hamas.

Israel imposed a naval blockade on the coastal enclave after Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007.

The blockade has remained in place through multiple conflicts, including the current war, which began after a Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, that killed more than 1,200 people, according to an Israeli tally.

Gaza's health ministry says over 54,000 Palestinians have been killed since the start of Israel's military campaign. The United Nations has warned that most of Gaza's more than 2 million residents are facing famine.

The Israeli government says the blockade is essential to prevent weapons from reaching Hamas.

(Reporting by Crispian Balmer, Yomna Ehab and Enas Alashray; Editing by Richard Chang)