Overview

• Israeli naval forces intercepted the Madleen about 100 nautical miles off Gaza’s coast on June 9, detaining 12 activists including Greta Thunberg who sought to deliver symbolic humanitarian aid
• On June 10, Thunberg and three other activists accepted deportation and were sent to Sweden via France, while eight others are detained awaiting court hearings
• The Madleen carried small quantities of baby formula, rice and medical supplies for Gaza, with the UN warning of catastrophic hunger and restricted aid access
• Israel justified the seizure as enforcement of its legal naval blockade to prevent arms smuggling and showed detainees footage of Hamas’s October 7 attacks
• Human rights organisations and the United Nations have condemned the interception as unlawful collective punishment and demanded unimpeded humanitarian aid to Gaza