
Madleen Yacht: Israeli Troops Seize Gaza Aid Boat, Detain its Crew
Israeli forces have taken control of Madleen yacht, an aid boat that was heading to Gaza, and detained activists on board, including Greta Thunberg, reported the Associated Press (AP).
The British-flagged Madleen yacht is operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC). It sailed towards Gaza on June 1 to challenge the ongoing Israeli blockade and deliver a small amount of aid, in a symbolic show of support. Seizing Madleen
The FFC accused Israeli forces of kidnapping activists aboard Madleen. In a statement, it said: 'The ship was unlawfully boarded, its unarmed civilian crew abducted, and its life-saving cargo—including baby formula, food and medical supplies—confiscated.'
On its part, the Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed it had taken command of the aid ship. 'The 'selfie yacht' of the 'celebrities' is safely making its way to the shores of Israel. The passengers are expected to return to their home countries,' it wrote on X.
The Israeli ministry accused the boat's crew of 'attempting to stage a media provocation,' adding that all the passengers were safe and unharmed. 'They were provided with sandwiches and water. The show is over,' it noted. Humanitarian Mission
Madleen, which set sail from Sicily a week ago, was carrying 12 activists, including Thunberg and Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament. It was carrying a small amount of humanitarian aid, including rice and baby formula.
In a pre-recorded message, Thunberg said: '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.'
Meanwhile, Hassan said that the crew of the Freedom Flotilla 'was arrested by the Israeli army in international waters around 2 am,' she posted on X. Challenging Blockade
Israel imposed a total blockade on Gaza on March 2, 2025 to pressure Hamas. However, it started allowing the entry of basic aid last month after mounting international pressure. Still, UN officials and humanitarian workers warn of famine unless the Israel lifts the blockade and ends its military campaign.
Last month, the Freedom Flotilla attempted to reach Gaza by sea but failed after two drones attacked its aid boat in international waters off Malta.
After seizing Madleen, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, expressed solidarity with the FFC and urged other boats to defy the Israeli blockade.
'While Madleen must be released immediately, every Mediterranean port should send boats with aid, solidarity, and humanity to Gaza. They shall sail together—united, they will be unstoppable,' she posted on X.
Short link :
Post Views: 28
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Leaders
3 hours ago
- Leaders
Knesset Vote Puts Netanyahu's Government on Verge of Collapse
The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government faces a major challenge as lawmakers will vote Wednesday on a bill to dissolve the parliament (Knesset), reported AFP. The vote comes as the Israeli opposition – consisting mainly of centrist and leftist groups – submitted a bill to dissolve the parliament, which could mark the first step toward a snap election. 'The opposition faction leaders have decided to bring the bill to dissolve the Knesset to a vote in the Knesset plenum today. The decision was made unanimously and is binding on all factions,' opposition leaders said in a statement. They also added that they would freeze their ongoing legislation to focus on 'the overthrow of the government.' Moreover, the ultra-Orthodox parties that are bolstering Netanyahu's government are also threatening to support the dissolution bill. The vote follows a dispute over compulsory military service, amid Israel's ongoing war on Gaza. Netanyahu's far-right government has been seeking to reverse the long-standing exemption from the draft for ultra-Orthodox Jews – a move rejected by ultra-Orthodox parties. Still, if the bill gets a majority of votes on Wednesday, it will require three additional rounds of voting to dissolve the Knesset. This would give Netanyahu's coalition more time to resolve the dispute over conscription. Furthermore, the opposition could pull the bill at the last minute if Netanyahu managed to address the crisis before the vote, scheduled later on Wednesday, according to Reuters. Short link : Post Views: 113 Related Stories


Saudi Gazette
5 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Investment Minister leads delegation to UK-Saudi Investment Summit in London
Saudi Gazette report LONDON— Saudi Minister of Investment, Eng. Khalid Al-Falih, is heading the Saudi delegation participating in the Saudi-UK Partnership and Investment Summit, which is being held on Wednesday at Mansion House in London. The summit is organized by the Saudi-British Joint Business Council and hosted by the City of London Corporation. It is supported by the Ministry of Investment and the UK Department for Business and Trade, and is attended by more than 400 policymakers, senior investors, and business leaders from both countries. The summit aims to explore prospects for bilateral cooperation and enhance partnership and investment opportunities between the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia. It includes a high-level ministerial dialogue bringing together Minister of Investment Khalid Al-Falih and British Minister of Investment Baroness Bobby Gustafson in a special session highlighting the development of strategic relations between the two countries and their shared vision for the future. The summit sessions will address shared development priorities in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 and the UK's future industrial strategy, UK Invest 2035, including expanding public-private partnerships, financing infrastructure projects, developing the venture capital ecosystem, and leveraging advanced technologies such as deeptech, space science, and clean innovation. IT's agenda is designed to encourage practical dialogue, facilitate cross-border investment flows, and accelerate economic diversification by building sustainable partnerships that meet future demands.


Saudi Gazette
5 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
UK meeting hails Saudi Arabia's pivotal role in supporting humanitarian causes
Saudi Gazette report JERSEY — Senior representatives from donor countries and international humanitarian organizations attended the high-level meeting organized by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Pooled Fund Working Group (PFWG) in Jersey, the United Kingdom. At the end of the meeting, participants praised Saudi Arabia's pivotal role in supporting humanitarian causes. They highlighted the importance of maintaining this international momentum to ensure sustainable response efforts and amplify their impact on the ground. The meeting served as a key milestone in global efforts to enhance financing mechanisms and response to humanitarian needs. Saudi Representative in the Donor Support Group for OCHA and Assistant Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) for Planning and Development Dr. Aqeel Al-Ghamdi participated in the meeting. Speaking on the occasion, Al-Ghamdi emphasized the importance of enhancing joint action and coordination among donor countries and UN institutions to ensure equitable and effective access to aid, particularly for the most vulnerable groups. He also reiterated Saudi Arabia's commitment, under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, to continue supporting global humanitarian efforts, contributing to the protection of lives and the improvement of living conditions in affected communities. Al-Ghamdi pointed out that the Kingdom is one of the leading and largest international donors in the humanitarian field, noting that Saudi Arabia, in recent years, has spearheaded notable humanitarian and development initiatives through KSrelief, which has reached more than 107 countries, implemented in partnership with UN agencies and international organizations.