Greta Thunberg has claimed her boat has caught fire after a drone strike, weeks after she claimed to have been kidnapped by Israel.
The world’s most famous climate activist just became part of one of the year’s most controversial international incidents—on a boat loaded not with protest signs, but powdered milk.
Madleen mission detailed.
Earlier this summer, the civilian aid ship Madleen quietly departed from Sicily, its mission: deliver humanitarian supplies directly to Gaza by sea.
The 12-person crew carried food basics like flour, rice, and infant formula—symbolic, yes, but aimed at raising awareness of Gaza’s humanitarian collapse.
Onboard were activists from Brazil, France, Germany, Spain, Sweden, and the Netherlands—all sailing under a British flag.
Among the dozen: Greta Thunberg—climate activist turned crisis campaigner—joining to highlight hunger and suffering in Gaza.
Also onboard: French MEP Rima Hassan, a Palestinian-descended politician previously barred from entering Israel for criticizing its policies.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, over 54,000 Palestinians have been killed since Israel’s military campaign began, most said to be women and children.
Israel says 55 hostages are still held by Hamas, more than half believed to be dead, following the October attacks that left 1,200 Israelis dead.
Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s aims highlighted.
The mission was organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, a group known for trying to breach Israel’s sea blockade since 2010.
The Flotilla’s 2010 mission ended in bloodshed when Israeli forces stormed the Mavi Marmara, killing 10 Turkish citizens and sparking global condemnation.
Just weeks before the Madleen’s mission, a sister ship—Conscience—was hit by drones in international waters off Malta, which the group blamed on Israel.
UNRWA commissioner Philippe Lazzarini stated in May: “This isn’t climate or conflict—it’s deliberate. Hunger is being used as a weapon.”
The Flotilla insists its goal is peaceful solidarity, not provocation: “We came with food, not weapons.”
Warning to activists clarified.
After months of near-total blockade, Israel began allowing minimal aid into Gaza—but not nearly enough, according to relief agencies.
On June 4, 19 UK MPs signed a motion supporting the mission, saying Gaza has the right to receive aid by sea under international law.
Just before interception, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz publicly vowed: “I have instructed the IDF to prevent this flotilla from landing.”
Israel’s Foreign Ministry taunted the activists on X, calling their ship “the selfie yacht of the celebrities.”
Crew’s thoughts on-board unraveled.
Hours before the raid, the crew said they were “calm and prepared,” fearing both drone surveillance and communication jamming.
Crew members reported to a UN rapporteur that a white, paint-like substance was dropped from Israeli drones over their deck.
Soon after the drone incident, the boat’s communications went dark. UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese confirmed all contact was lost.
Publicly accessible marine trackers last showed Madleen drifting off the coast of Egypt, approaching Gaza’s waters.
Shocking military intercept explained.
Israeli naval forces boarded the Madleen and seized control of the ship without reported injuries.
Freedom Flotilla organizers accused Israel of “unlawfully boarding” the vessel and said the activists had been “kidnapped in international waters.”
Instead of Gaza, the Madleen is now heading toward Israel’s Ashdod port, where all passengers are being detained.
Among the detained: Greta Thunberg, under Israeli custody as authorities accuse her of aiding “terrorist propaganda.”
Katz reaffirmed: “Israel will act against any attempt to break the blockade—by sea, in the air, and on land.”
The Israeli Defense Forces congratulated themselves for what they called a “quick and safe” military takeover.
Israeli officials maintain that the naval blockade is essential to prevent arms smuggling to Hamas—not to deny humanitarian aid.
Israel doubles down on blockade,
The message from Israeli officials remains firm: no aid boat—celebrity-filled or not—will ever reach Gaza’s coast.
She was eventually released, but now she’s embroiled in more drama.
Fellow activist Yasemin Acar on Instagram showed the aftermath of a fire on board the ship: ‘The Family boat has been officially attacked – a drone came right above it, released a bomb and it exploded and the boat was on fire.
‘Everyone on that boat is ok. The fire is out.’
But once again the crew have been accused of lying.
Tunisian authorities, where the boat was at the time of the alleged attack, have insisted, saying their claims ‘have no basis in truth’.
‘No drones have been detected. According to preliminary findings, a fire broke out in the life jackets on board.’