Israeli commandos intercepted the ship Madleen, operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, approximately 100 miles (160 km) from Gaza while it was carrying humanitarian aid to Palestinians affected by Israel’s blockade. The activists on board, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, have been taken into custody and are being transported to Israel’s port of Ashdod.
The Madleen set sail from Sicily on June 1, roughly one month after Israeli drones bombed another aid ship en route to Gaza. The blockade, which Israel has maintained on Gaza by land, sea, and air since 2007, was intensified into a total siege on March 2 amid the ongoing conflict that has resulted in more than 54,000 deaths in Gaza.
Before losing contact, activists reported that Israeli forces sprayed a thick, white, paint-like substance onto the vessel. This substance caused burning eyes and discomfort, leading to speculation about its composition. Theories suggest it might be “skunk water” (a chemical irritant used by Israeli forces), or more likely a tracking agent containing phosphorescent, magnetic, or radar-enhancing particles designed to improve the ship’s detectability.
Among those detained is French doctor and activist Baptiste Andre, as well as Greta Thunberg, the Swedish climate advocate. Also detained is Marco van Rennes, a Dutch activist associated with Boat to Gaza, and Omar Faiad, a journalist for Al Jazeera Mubasher who suffers from asthma and requires daily medication. French activist and sailor Pascal Maurieras, previously detained by Israel in 2018, was also on board. Reva Viard, a French humanitarian activist, was part of the mission along with French Palestinian MEP Rima Hassan.Spanish activist Sergio Toribio, a member of both the Spanish Boat to Gaza and marine conservation NGO Sea Shepherd, was among the passengers. Turkish activist Suayb Ordu, active in Palestine-related volunteer projects, was on board with Brazilian activist Thiago Avila, the father of a six-month-old daughter and coordinator of Freedom Flotilla Brazil. French journalist Yanis Mhamdi from the media platform Blast, and German activist Yasemin Acar, who has been advocating for refugees and human rights since the age of 15, were also among those seized.
