Israeli navy intercepts Gaza aid boat carrying Greta Thunberg
A boat attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza was intercepted by the Israeli navy on September 10, 2025. The vessel, part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, carried climate activist Greta Thunberg and veterans of previous aid missions. The incident highlights ongoing challenges in providing aid to the region amid conflict.
The Handala, a fishing trawler repurposed for the mission, departed from Catania, Sicily, on September 1, 2025, as part of an effort by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition to break Israel's naval blockade on Gaza. On board were around 20 activists, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, who joined to draw global attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The boat carried approximately 100 tons of aid, including rice, flour, baby formula, and medical supplies, intended for distribution in the besieged territory.
Veterans of past flotillas, such as those from the 2010 Mavi Marmara incident, were also aboard, bringing experience from previous attempts that often ended in confrontations with Israeli forces. Thunberg, known for her environmental activism, stated in a pre-departure interview: "This is about showing solidarity with Palestinians and challenging the blockade that prevents aid from reaching those in need." The coalition described the mission as a non-violent act of civil disobedience to protest restrictions on sea access to Gaza, which have been in place since 2007.
On September 10, approximately 200 nautical miles from Gaza's coast, Israeli naval vessels surrounded the Handala and boarded it without resistance from the crew. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the interception, stating that the boat was diverted to Ashdod port for inspection and that the activists would be processed according to protocol. No injuries were reported, but the aid cargo's fate remains unclear, with the coalition demanding its delivery to Gaza.
This event echoes previous flotilla attempts, where international activists have sought to highlight Gaza's dire situation, including food insecurity and medical shortages exacerbated by the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Israeli officials justified the blockade as necessary for security, citing risks from Hamas. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition condemned the interception as an escalation, with one veteran activist noting in a podcast discussion: "We've seen this before—aid blocked, voices silenced—but we won't stop trying." As of September 12, 2025, the detained activists, including Thunberg, were held in Israel pending deportation hearings, prompting calls from human rights groups for their release.