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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsIsraeli forces take control of Gaza aid boat carrying Greta Thunberg
Israels military took control of a boat trying to deliver food to Palestinians in Gaza in the early hours of Monday morning, and brought its crew of activists including Greta Thunberg to an Israeli port.
The Madleen was making a symbolic attempt to break to the blockade of Gaza and raise awareness of a looming starvation crisis.
It was never likely to get through Israels naval blockade of the territory, where UN-backed experts have warned of looming famine, and dozens of people have been killed by Israeli forces trying to reach food distribution centres.
Even attempting to reach Gaza by boat is risky. In May, another boat sailing as part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the group that organised the Madleens voyage, caught fire off Malta and issued an SOS after what the group said was an attack by Israeli drones. Israels military declined to comment.
What could go wrong?

Bok_Tukalo
(4,486 posts)Thats interesting.
Ping Tung
(2,565 posts)To no ones surprise.
tritsofme
(19,242 posts)That is all.
AloeVera
(2,931 posts)madaboutharry
(41,946 posts)They were stopped from continuing a ridiculous and ego driven PR stunt, given food and water, and taken ashore to be processed for deportation to their home countries. Whatever meager aid was on the boat will be transferred to Gaza.
But, not before they will be required to view the 45 minute film documenting, from Hamas' own GoPro cameras, the atrocities carried out on October 7th.
עם ישראל חי
AloeVera
(2,931 posts)Kids, adults too.
That was the whole point of this "ridiculous ...PR stunt".
If Greta and the others will be made to force-watch the PR video of Oct. 7th atrocities, every single supporter of Israel's war (of starvation and ethnic cleansing) should be made to watch THIS video of Gaza's starving and burned children.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y2kd1nkleo.amp
Mountainguy
(2,023 posts)Should stop shooting people trying to get to aid stations.
AloeVera
(2,931 posts)In so many words.
Only the number of casualties is being disputed.
And the starvation has been happening for months.
But here you are...
Mountainguy
(2,023 posts)And there is video of Hamas doing it.
AloeVera
(2,931 posts)In a different city, and not at an aid station. Again, it was LOOTED aid. Per the IDF.
Who looted that aid? According to the UN and agencies on the ground, it is criminal gangs (recently revealed to be funded and ARMED by Israel!), not Hamas looting aid.
So it looks to me like that video only proves that Netanyahu has been successful in continuing the starvation through this strategy of arming these tribal thugs. Who, btw, are associated with ISIS no less.
Ask yourself this: if the IDF knew this was a Hamas "looting station" why did they allow this to continue? Why not just take them out? They knew the location,it is their drone video.
I think the answer is that they knew about it and allowed it to continue because the criminal looters are on the same side.
But I repeat: babies in Gaza are starving. You should watch that video I linked to.
Mountainguy
(2,023 posts)Is noted.
AloeVera
(2,931 posts)0rganism
(25,121 posts)Last edited Mon Jun 9, 2025, 01:09 PM - Edit history (2)
The stated motive for travel does not justify interdiction, interception, boarding, and/or abduction in international waters. "PR stunts" are generally not legitimate grounds for retaliatory acts of piracy. Israel is on really shaky ground for this action, but that's how they've been rolling lately so nothing new here.
Bok_Tukalo
(4,486 posts)That seems on brand for Israel.
tritsofme
(19,242 posts)Seeing the carnage of 10/7 directly through the eyes of their Hamas heroes, but I fear they will sit there and cheer.
Rob H.
(5,661 posts)Western complicity
tritsofme
(19,242 posts)
Bad Thoughts
(2,653 posts)It was a PR stunt organized by Hamas operatives.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/06/09/zaher-birawi-hamas-operative-greta-thunbergs-gaza-flotilla/