Israel seizes Madleen and forces activists to watch violent Hamas footage

On June 9, 2025, Israeli forces intercepted the British-flagged vessel Madleen, which was carrying Greta Thunberg and 11 activists. The boat was diverted to Ashdod port before reaching Gaza, where the activists had intended to deliver aid. The interception was ordered by Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, who stated that the activists would be shown a video of the October 7 attacks committed by Hamas. The Israeli government justified this action by emphasizing the need for activists to understand the nature of the violence carried out by Hamas, which resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 Israelis and significant military actions in Gaza. The British-flagged boat was operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, a pro-Palestinian group that had set sail from Sicily on June 1. In a statement, Katz described Thunberg as antisemitic and claimed her presence alongside the activists was a way of supporting Hamas. The Israeli military has provided screenings of the October 7 attacks to various groups, including international journalists, as part of ongoing efforts to inform audiences about the conflict and Israel's military operations. The interception of Madleen sparked criticism from Thunberg, who alleged that she had been kidnapped and called for immediate international support and action to release her and her fellow activists. Thunberg’s call for pressure on the Swedish government to assist them was reflecting a larger humanitarian perspective concerning the ongoing situation in Gaza. Meanwhile, Katz defended Israel's actions, pronouncing the military's response as swift and indicating an ongoing commitment to combat Hamas. He reaffirmed that Israel's security and the release of hostages remain a priority within their military strategy. The situation remains tense as humanitarian crises continue to unfold in Gaza, leading to calls from international figures, including the United Nations' Francesca Albanese, for continued efforts to challenge the blockade and send aid. In this context of conflict, the actions of the Israeli military and the political statements from both Israeli officials and activists underline the polarized views surrounding this humanitarian crisis, bringing attention to the ongoing ramifications of the October 7 attacks and the responses leading up to and after the boat seizure.