Israeli Navy Blocks Aid Headed for Gaza, Detains Greta Thunberg Among Others
If you had told anyone a few years ago that Greta Thunberg would end up face-to-face with Israeli forces on the high seas, most would have scoffed. Yet that's exactly what happened on June 9, 2025, when Israeli naval units stopped the Madleen, an aid vessel bound for Gaza. Onboard were 12 volunteers, including Thunberg, each there for one reason: to break through the blockade and deliver badly needed humanitarian supplies.
The Madleen had left the Sicilian coast a week prior, loaded with essential items for those trapped inside Gaza. But it wasn’t a straight shot—the crew stopped midway to help four migrants who were at risk of being pulled back to Libya by that country’s coast guard, a force not exactly known for its gentle handling of desperate travelers. This detour threw the spotlight on another crisis: hundreds trying to cross the Mediterranean aren’t just running from wars, but also increasingly harsh border controls.
Among the detained was Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament with Palestinian roots. She’s become a familiar face in human rights circles and remains banned from entering Israel over her tough stance against its policies in the region. Israeli authorities didn't waste time—they boarded the Madleen, detained everyone onboard, and towed the vessel back into port. The officials framed it as a necessary security move, given their ongoing and tight grip on aid entering Gaza.
This blockade isn’t new, but the human toll keeps growing. While Israel has allowed limited aid in through Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings recently, the supplies trickling through have done little to ease the mounting crisis. The U.N. and aid groups won’t mince words: there’s a real risk of famine if the blockade isn’t fully lifted, and every shipment counts. People in Gaza are already facing chronic shortages—just ask the doctors counting down what’s left of their medical stock, or parents trying to stretch a handful of rice among hungry kids.
The Madleen’s interception isn’t an isolated incident. Last month, another effort—the Freedom Flotilla—barely made it to Maltese waters before being attacked by drones. Organizers blame Israel for that hit, marking a new chapter where even international waters aren’t out of reach. Activists are openly questioning whether humanitarian missions can continue under such risks.
Greta Thunberg Calls for Pressure as Famine Looms in Gaza
Before setting sail, Greta Thunberg recorded a video—just in case she was detained. That video urged her supporters, especially in Sweden, to press their government for immediate action. It wasn’t just about her release or the eleven others, but about the mission itself. "Without consistent access for aid," she warned, “we face the real possibility of a humanitarian catastrophe.”
Thunberg’s decision to join the mission surprised many. The environmental activist is more often seen in climate marches and U.N. summits, but her presence on the Madleen underlined just how desperate the situation in Gaza has become. For Thunberg and others, climate justice and humanitarian aid are tightly linked—rising temperatures and shrinking resources often hit vulnerable areas hardest. The stand-off on the Mediterranean spotlighted the growing crossover between environmental activism and demands for humanitarian intervention.
The Israeli government, for its part, continues to cite security threats from Gaza as justification for its restrictions. Critics, however, argue that the blockade punishes civilians far more than it deters armed groups. Images of empty shelves, skyrocketing prices, and overflowing hospitals come out of Gaza with increasing frequency, galvanizing activists worldwide to try and run the blockade with boats like the Madleen.
With international experts warning that 2025 could bring the worst famine Gaza has seen in decades, pressure is mounting on Western governments to find solutions—and fast. Whether Thunberg’s high-profile detention can shift the diplomatic equation remains to be seen. But for now, her name stands out among the list of those willing to risk detention—and worse—to get food and medicine to people who desperately need it. Whether the next aid ship will actually make it through, though, is anyone’s guess.