Jerusalem, Israel — In a dramatic turn of events, the Israeli military has intercepted an aid ship named the “Madleen” that was en route to deliver humanitarian assistance to Gaza. Among the onboard activists were notable figures such as climate activist Greta Thunberg, actor Liam Cunningham, known for his role in “Game of Thrones,” and Rima Hassan, a member of the European Parliament from France. The interception occurred amidst a backdrop of over 600 days of continuous conflict and a stringent 11-week blockade imposed by Israel, which has exacerbated the hunger crisis facing the 2.1 million residents of Gaza.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), which organized the voyage, reported that the Israeli military boarded the ship in international waters. In a post made on Telegram, the FFC described the situation as a distressing assault, stating, “Quadcopters are surrounding the ship, spraying it with a white paint-like substance. Communications are jammed, and disturbing sounds are being played over the radio.” This alarming scenario was further exacerbated when Yasmin Acar, an activist on board, livestreamed footage showing the substance on the deck, claiming it was causing irritation to her eyes.

Despite the unfolding chaos, Israel’s Foreign Ministry maintained that the passengers were being treated with care. They shared a video showing the detained crew members wearing orange life jackets, receiving water and sandwiches from Israeli soldiers. The ministry announced in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the passengers would be returned to their home countries after docking in Israel.

The FFC had anticipated the possibility of interception, as they had previously publicized the ship's location using an online tracker. By Monday morning, the UK-flagged vessel was reported to be north of Egypt in the Mediterranean Sea, slowly making its way towards Gaza. However, the tracker subsequently ceased functioning, raising concerns about the safety of those onboard.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz had openly declared his intentions to halt the flotilla, stating, “I have instructed the IDF to ensure that the ‘Madleen’ flotilla does not reach Gaza.” Following the capture of the activists, Katz instructed military personnel to show the detainees videos of the Hamas attacks on Israel that took place on October 7, 2023, upon their arrival at Ashdod Port.

The Israeli government has characterized the journey of the “Madleen” as a media stunt aimed at garnering publicity, labeling it a “selfie yacht” full of “celebrities.” The Foreign Ministry emphasized that there are more appropriate methods to deliver aid to Gaza that do not involve unauthorized maritime incursions, which they describe as dangerous and unlawful.

In a statement condemning the interception, Hamas demanded the immediate release of the activists, labeling the incident as a "flagrant violation of international law" and an assault on humanitarian workers striving to assist those in need.

The “Madleen” is part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, a group committed to opposing Israel's blockade of Gaza and seeking to deliver aid via sea routes. The organization has faced various challenges in previous missions, including violent confrontations with the Israeli military, and they were fully aware of the risks involved in this latest endeavor. In an interview with CNN, Thunberg acknowledged the dangers, stating, “We know that it’s a very risky mission and we know that previous experiences with flotillas like this have resulted in attacks, violence and even cases of death.”

Israel's blockade of Gaza, which has been in place since March 2, has severely restricted the flow of food, medical supplies, and essential aid to the region. In response to increasing international scrutiny, Israel has allowed a limited amount of aid to enter Gaza since late May, though humanitarian organizations warn that the volume allowed is insufficient compared to pre-war levels, leading to mounting concerns of famine. A United Nations report from late April indicated that one in five residents in Gaza were facing starvation.

Complicating the aid delivery situation, recent reports highlighted that numerous Palestinians have lost their lives while attempting to secure aid from a new U.S.-backed initiative, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which has been installed to replace the United Nations' traditional aid distribution methods. This new system has drawn criticism, with some stating it has become a “death trap” for those desperately seeking food.

In a previous incident, another vessel from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition was reportedly targeted by an Israeli drone while it was in international waters off the coast of Malta. Although the group alleged the drone attack came from an Israeli source, no concrete evidence was provided, and the Israeli military has refrained from commenting on the claims.

The “Conscience,” the vessel involved in the prior incident, was moving towards Malta to pick up a substantial group of activists, including Thunberg, before setting sail to Gaza. The “Madleen,” which was intercepted by Israeli forces, departed from Sicily just last Friday, highlighting the ongoing tensions and the perilous endeavors of activists seeking to provide aid in a region fraught with conflict.

This incident has drawn widespread attention, raising issues of humanitarian aid, international law, and the ongoing conflict in Gaza. As the world watches, the future of humanitarian efforts in the region remains uncertain.