Israeli forces took control of the Gaza-bound boat Madleen early Monday and detained the group of 12 activists, including Thunberg, who were on board, following repeated warnings to the activists against attempting to sail to the Gaza coast, which is under a strict maritime blockade.
Thunberg claimed in a video after the boat was intercepted that she and her fellow activists had been kidnapped by Israel.
An Israeli soldier offers activist Greta Thunberg water and a pastrami sandwich after the military intercepted and boarded the boat on which she and other activists were seeking to break Israel’s blockade on Gaza, early on June 9, 2025. (Foreign Ministry)
On arrival in Israel last night, the activists refused to watch a video showing atrocities committed by the Hamas terror group on October 7, 2023, Defense Minister Israel Katz said.
— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) June 10, 2025
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