In a dramatic maritime operation, Israeli commandos intercepted a British-flagged humanitarian yacht, Madleen, en route to the Gaza Strip. Among those on board were climate activist Greta Thunberg and Rima Hassan, a Member of the European Parliament (MEP).
The vessel, operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) — a pro-Palestinian group — was attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza in defiance of Israel’s naval blockade, which has been in place for years.
Images posted by MEP Rima Hassan on social media showed the tense moments during the interception, including activists in life jackets, seated with their hands raised, indicating surrender.
Israeli authorities have not immediately commented on the operation, but past flotilla attempts have faced similar military action, citing security risks and unauthorized entry into restricted waters.
The interception is likely to spark global debate, given Thunberg’s international profile and the political presence of a sitting European lawmaker. Human rights advocates have condemned the act, while Israeli officials are expected to justify the move on national security grounds.
