Israeli naval forces intercepted the British-flagged yacht Madleen, operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), as it attempted to breach the Israeli blockade of Gaza. Aboard the vessel were Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and European Parliament member Rima Hassan.

According to Hassan, the vessel was boarded by Israeli forces around 2 a.m. while in international waters. “The crew of the Freedom Flotilla was arrested by the Israeli army in international waters,” she posted on X. A photo she shared showed passengers with raised hands and wearing life jackets, indicating detention.

Thunberg later posted a video appeal, urging the Swedish government to act. “We have been intercepted and kidnapped in international waters by Israeli occupational forces. I urge pressure for our release,” she said.

The Madleen, which departed from Sicily, was reportedly carrying humanitarian aid, including rice and baby formula, for residents of Gaza. The mission sought both to deliver aid and challenge Israel’s naval blockade, which has been in place since 2007.

The FFC reported losing all communication with the ship and accused Israeli forces of “kidnapping” the activists.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the mission as a “media stunt,” calling the yacht a “selfie boat of celebrities.” The Ministry highlighted that over 1,200 aid trucks had entered Gaza from Israel in the last two weeks and emphasized that “there are proper channels to deliver aid.”

This is the FFC’s second failed attempt in recent months. In May, their vessel Conscience was allegedly hit by a drone near Malta, an incident the group blamed on Israel. The Israeli government has not commented on that incident.