Israeli Naval Forces seize Charity Yacht attempting to break Gaza blockade

Israeli naval forces intercepted and seized the British-flagged charity yacht Madleen early Monday morning as it attempted to breach the longstanding naval blockade of the Gaza Strip. The yacht, operated by the pro-Palestinian Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), was carrying a symbolic shipment of humanitarian aid and a crew of 12 activists, including prominent Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg and French Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan.

The Madleen was intercepted in international waters around 2 a.m., according to the FFC and confirmed later by the Israeli Foreign Ministry. Israeli forces boarded the yacht before it could reach Gaza, taking control of the vessel and escorting it to the Israeli port of Ashdod. The ministry stated that all passengers were unharmed and provided with food and water during the operation. A message from the ministry dismissed the mission as a propaganda stunt, referring to the yacht as the “selfie yacht” of celebrities.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition aimed to deliver a small quantity of aid, including rice and baby formula, to Gaza, intending to raise global awareness about the severe humanitarian crisis in the territory. However, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz had ordered the military to prevent the vessel from reaching Gaza, labeling the mission a “propaganda effort in support of Hamas.” Katz announced plans to show the activists videos of atrocities committed during the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on southern Israel once they arrived at Ashdod.

The naval blockade on Gaza has been in place since 2007, following Hamas’ takeover of the coastal enclave. Israel maintains the blockade to prevent weapons from reaching the Islamist militant group, which it and several Western countries designate as a terrorist organization. The blockade has persisted through multiple conflicts, including the current war triggered by Hamas militants’ deadly incursion into southern Israel in October 2023. The conflict has resulted in over 1,200 Israeli deaths and the taking of 251 hostages, according to Israeli officials.

Israel’s ongoing military offensive has killed over 54,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health authorities, leaving the enclave’s two million residents displaced and facing severe humanitarian challenges. The United Nations has repeatedly warned of looming famine and urgent humanitarian needs.

In response to the seizure, Hamas condemned the Israeli action, branding it “state terrorism” and praising the activists’ efforts. Meanwhile, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, expressed support for the FFC mission and called for continued attempts to break the blockade. On Sunday, she urged other vessels from Mediterranean ports to deliver aid and solidarity to Gaza.

As the Madleen is escorted to Israel, the incident highlights the ongoing tensions and complex humanitarian issues surrounding the Gaza blockade amid a protracted and deadly conflict.