Israel blocks arrival of activist ship carrying Thunberg in Gaza

Israel blocked a sailing ship carrying Greta Thunberg and other activists from entering the Gaza Strip in the early hours of Monday.

Israel's Foreign Ministry said the Freedom Flotilla Coalition's (FFC) ship Madleen was "safely making its way to the shores of Israel."

"The passengers are expected to return to their home countries," the ministry said in a post on X.

In a statement, the FFC said the Madleen had "been attacked/forcibly intercepted by the Israeli military" in international waters.

"The ship was unlawfully boarded, its unarmed civilian crew abducted, and its life-saving cargo — including baby formula, food and medical supplies — confiscated," the FFC said in a statement.

FFC organizer Huwaida Arraf said Israel had no legal authority to detain those aboard the ship.

"These volunteers are not subject to Israeli jurisdiction and cannot be criminalized for delivering aid or challenging an illegal blockade — their detention is arbitrary, unlawful, and must end immediately,” Arraf said.

"We are undeterred. We will sail again. We will not stop until the siege ends and Palestine is free," the FFC said.

Ahead of the ship's arrival, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz had ordered the armed forces to prevent the arrival of the Madleen, which set sail from Sicily a week ago.

Addressing Thunberg and the 11 other activists on board, Katz said: "You should turn back because you will not reach Gaza."