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.