The Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announces that the military has received orders to take all necessary measures to stop the ship Madleens continued journey.
He addresses "antisemitic Greta", referring to Thunberg, and other individuals he accuses of acting as propagandists for the extremist movement Hamas:
"You should turn back – for you will not reach Gaza."
Mahmud Abu-Odeh, a spokesperson for a German branch of the organization, says that the ship will continue its journey despite the Israeli Defense Minister's order.
"It would be a breach of international law to stop Madleen from reaching Gaza, especially since the ship is on international waters. All on board are civilians and have the right to deliver supplies. We will consider it an act of kidnapping if Israel stops them or takes them to (the Israeli port city) Ashdod," Abu-Odeh told TT.
Expert sees two possibilities
Anders Persson, an expert on the Israel-Palestine conflict, has difficulty seeing Madleen succeed in reaching Gaza, and sees two possible developments: One that Israel sabotages the ship to make it seaworthy, the other that Israel boards the ship and takes control of it.
"Greta Thunberg is probably one of the most prominent activists who have been on board the Freedom Flotilla over the years, and has a different status than the average activist. If Israel were to harm her, intentionally or unintentionally, it could lead to all sorts of complications," Persson said.
Carrying supplies
Madleen set sail from Sicily last Sunday and has since been located outside Egypt's coast on Saturday. On board are twelve activists, sailing under the auspices of the organization Freedom Flotilla. They have with them, among other things, diapers, infant formula, flour, rice, and medical equipment.
The ship's crew has reported a number of drone observations during the journey. According to the activists on board, the drone surveillance is intended to intimidate them.
Greta Thunberg met international media before the departure and said she was aware of the risks:
Regardless of how dangerous this mission is, it's not even in the same league as the global silence in the face of the direct broadcast of the genocide, she said then, referring to Israel's waging of war in Gaza.
Erik Widmark/TT
Martin Mederyd Hårdh/TT
Facts: Some previous incidents involving aid shipments to Gaza
TT
On May 31, 2010, six ships were en route to Gaza with supplies. The Freedom Flotilla, which also included the Swedish organization Ship to Gaza, was boarded by the Israeli navy on international waters. Nine activists were killed on board. One more died later from their injuries.
In October 2012, the Swedish ship "Estelle" was boarded by Israeli military and towed to the port city of Ashdod. Several Swedish activists were arrested, but later released. Even in the summer of 2015, a Swedish ship was boarded and several Swedes were arrested.
In the summer of 2018, Israel first boarded a ship with some Swedes on board. A few days later, a Swedish ship was boarded as part of the convoy. Several people were arrested, but later released.
In early May 2025, Freedom Flotilla attempted to sail to Gaza. At the time, the people on board reported that the boat was attacked by drones. On video clips from the organization that TT has seen, something hits the front of the boat. A loud bang is heard, followed by a fire breaking out. The movement announced that it caused a "considerable hole in the hull," but no one was injured.
