Israel has intercepted an aid vessel bound for Gaza that was carrying climate activist Greta Thunberg and other well-known figures, detaining those on board and transporting them to Israel.
According to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), the Israeli military boarded the ship, named the “Madleen,” which was attempting to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza. The territory has been devastated by over 600 days of conflict and has endured a complete blockade on aid for 11 weeks, worsening an already dire hunger crisis for its 2.1 million residents.
Among those aboard the vessel were Thunberg, actor Liam Cunningham of “Game of Thrones” fame, and Rima Hassan, a French Member of the European Parliament.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry stated early Monday that the vessel was “safely making its way to the shores of Israel” and that the passengers were expected to return to their countries of origin. A video shared by the ministry showed the passengers sitting in life jackets while a soldier handed them water and sandwiches, with Thunberg visible at the front of the group.
The FFC claimed earlier that the vessel had been “attacked in international waters,” reporting via Telegram that drones surrounded the ship, sprayed it with a white, paint-like substance, and jammed communications while disruptive sounds were broadcast over the radio. In a separate video, an Israeli Navy officer can be heard telling the ship that the waters off Gaza’s coast were closed, CNN writes.
