Overview
- Israeli naval forces intercepted the Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s vessel Madleen on June 6 in international waters and towed it to Ashdod following an attempt to deliver baby formula, food and medical supplies to Gaza.
- Thunberg and three other passengers signed deportation documents and were flown via France to Sweden on June 10 in line with Israeli Foreign Ministry directives.
- Eight activists, including French MEP Rima Hassan, declined to waive their rights and remain held at Givon Prison pending hearings before an Israeli immigration tribunal.
- The Swedish campaigner denounced her detention as a “kidnapping” and accused Israel of enforcing a “systematic starvation” of Gaza’s two million residents, allegations Israel rejects.
- Rights groups such as Amnesty International and Adalah criticized the seizure and 100-year entry bans as violations of international law governing blockades and civilian protections.