Israeli Forces Intercept Gaza ‌Freedom Flotilla,‌ Detaining⁤ Activists

​ ​ Updated June 09,‍ 2025
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The Israeli military intercepted the Gaza Freedom Flotilla‌ in‌ international​ waters Monday, detaining activists and seizing the ship, the Mased. The vessel, carrying vital humanitarian aid, including baby ​formula and medical supplies, was en route‌ to Gaza to break Israel’s blockade.

Among those ‌detained were Swedish ⁤climate⁢ activist Greta Thunberg, Thiago Ávila of Brazil, and yasemin‌ Acar from‍ Germany. The ⁤activists had departed ​from Sicily on June 1 and were approximately 110 nautical miles from Gaza when intercepted.

According to ‍activists, Israeli forces used ​quadcopters to spray a white, ⁢chemical-like substance,⁣ causing eye irritation. Communication signals were jammed, and ⁣disturbing audio was​ broadcast to disrupt ⁤radio transmissions. Soldiers then boarded the ship,‍ demanding that the crew throw their mobile phones ⁤into ⁣the sea.

The activists⁢ are reportedly ⁢being transported to Ashdod,Israel,with ​some possibly facing deportation rather​ than‍ imprisonment,according to ⁤Ann Wright,a senior member of the Gaza flotilla steering committee.

Thiago Ávila: Everyone,⁣ we are under attack. Please sound​ the alarm. Thay are throwing a‍ lot of substances and objects on us. Quadcopters,​ the most hazardous ones. … Right now they ⁢are jamming our comms.​ They are saying random stuff just to jam our communication. They ‍are doing this so that we cannot get help.

Greta Thunberg: ‌ My name is Greta Thunberg, and I am from Sweden. If you see this ⁣video, we have been ​intercepted and kidnapped in international waters ‍by the Israeli occupational⁤ forces ‌or forces⁢ that support​ Israel. I urge​ all my friends,⁣ family and comrades to put pressure ‍on the Swedish government to ​release me ​and the others‌ as⁤ soon as possible.

Prior to the interception, activists prerecorded‍ messages anticipating potential Israeli action. These messages,released after the incident,appealed to their respective governments for assistance.

The Turkish government ⁢has condemned Israel’s actions, declaring it a “terrorist⁣ state”‌ and demanding the release of its citizens on ⁣board. Other governments have remained largely silent, ⁤prompting calls ⁣for increased citizen pressure.

What’s next

The Freedom Flotilla ⁢Coalition ⁤plans to send more boats to Gaza⁤ soon.supporters‌ are encouraged to ⁣maintain pressure on their​ governments to⁣ address the situation in Gaza and the West ​Bank.