A yacht carrying climate activist Greta Thunberg and 11 other passengers has been rescued after what the Freedom Flotilla Coalition described as an “interception and kidnapping” in international waters.
Israel Foreign Ministry confirms ’selfie yacht’ has been rescued
The incident has drawn global attention and sparked controversy over the treatment of the activists onboard.
The yacht, named Madleen, was on a mission to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, sailing in defiance of Israel’s naval blockade.
According to reports, the vessel left Catania, Italy, on Sunday, 1 June 2025, and was expected to reach Gaza. It was last tracked north of Cairo before communications were lost early Monday.
Greta Thunberg, who had pre-recorded a video message in case of emergency, stated:
“We have been intercepted and kidnapped in international waters by 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.”
Israeli officials confirmed the yacht’s interception, saying the passengers were not harmed and are now en route to the port of Ashdod.
In a post, the Israel Foreign Ministry wrote:
“All the passengers of the ‘selfie yacht’ are safe and unharmed. They were provided with sandwiches and water. The show is over.”
Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, said he instructed the military to show the passengers a video of the 7 October Hamas attacks on Israel, upon their arrival.
Katz also accused Thunberg and other activists of supporting Hamas, a claim activists have not responded to directly.
Onboard reports from activists include claims that chemicals were thrown onto the yacht, affecting their eyes.
Francesca Albanese, the UN’s special rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, said she was in contact with the vessel and recounted three key incidents: the boat was first surrounded by speedboats, then approached by flying drones, and finally boarded by Israeli soldiers, after which communication was cut off.
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry described the mission as a “noble operation” and called for protection of the activists.
The Madleen carried activists from various countries, including Sweden, France, Brazil, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, and Turkey.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition had been posting video messages from each passenger before the yacht went dark, suggesting the group was prepared for the possibility of being detained.