Latest news with #MahmudAbu-Odeh
News18
3 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Israeli Forces Intercept Gaza-Bound Aid Ship Carrying Activist Greta Thunberg, Redirect It
Last Updated: Later, Israeli authorities confirmed that the boat had been diverted to Israeli territory. Israeli forces on Monday intercepted a humanitarian aid vessel bound for Gaza that included Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg among its passengers, according to the ship's organisers. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition announced via Telegram that contact had been lost with the vessel Madleen, stating, 'Connection has been lost on the 'Madleen'. Israeli army have boarded the vessel," AFP reported. Mahmud Abu-Odeh, a Germany-based press officer with the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, told AFP that 'the activists seemed to be arrested." The crew was arrested in international waters. — Rima Hassan (@RimaHas) June 9, 2025 Israel had previously vowed to prevent the vessel from reaching Gaza. As the boat approached what authorities called a 'restricted area," the Israeli Navy instructed it to change course. About an hour later, Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the vessel was being towed to Israeli shores. '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," the ministry wrote on social media. In a follow-up post, the ministry added, 'The tiny amount of aid that was on the yacht and not consumed by the 'celebrities' will be transferred to Gaza through real humanitarian channels." First Published:
France 24
3 days ago
- Politics
- France 24
Israel intercepts Gaza-bound aid flotilla with Greta Thunberg, activists say
The organisers of a Gaza-bound aid boat carrying Greta Thunberg and other activists said Israeli forces intercepted the vessel on Monday, after Israel vowed to prevent it from reaching the Palestinian territory. The Madleen aimed to deliver aid and challenge Israel's naval blockade of Gaza, which has been in place since before the Israel-Hamas war. "Connection has been lost on the 'Madleen'. Israeli army have boarded the vessel," the Freedom Flotilla Coalition posted on Telegram, adding that the passengers had been "kidnapped" by Israeli forces. AFP lost contact with the activists on board. Mahmud Abu-Odeh, a Germany-based press officer with the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, told AFP that "the activists seemed to be arrested". Israel had vowed to prevent the ship from reaching Gaza. The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Navy had directed the boat to change course as it approached "a restricted area". About an hour later, it said the boat was being towed to Israeli shores. "The passengers are expected to return to their home countries," the ministry wrote on social media. "The tiny amount of aid that was on the yacht and not consumed by the 'celebrities' will be transferred to Gaza through real humanitarian channels," the ministry added.
