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Thunberg was detained during the interception, along with other activists. Greta Thunberg, 22, who is known for her vow to avoid air travel, caught a flight to Sweden via France, according to Israel's foreign ministry. The Madleen, a part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, was forced to stop by Israeli forces while it was traveling to Gaza. The ship finally docked in Ashdod on Monday evening. Israel announced that the individuals who refused to sign deportation claim forms will face a trial.
At least six French citizens are among those who have been apprehended. One has agreed to depart voluntarily and is expected to be removed on Tuesday. The other five were shown to be involuntarily removed during France's foreign ministry. This includes Rima Hassan, a Member of the European Parliament. European officials have had contact with Israeli authorities to identify her whereabouts. The ship was captured by the Israeli army in international waters.
The Madleen was described by Israeli authorities as a "selfie boat" that was inhabited by "stars." It was blocked from arriving in Gaza by international law. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition has criticized the boarding, saying it was unlawful. Since March 2, Israel has imposed a total relief blockade on Gaza, halting relief shipments of food and emergency medical aid. Although low-rate aid delivery resumed in late May after raising global pressure, the overall amount remained far lower than before the conflict.
Gaza's total population of 2.1 million individuals were in a recently worsening hunger crisis after 600 days of fighting and an 11-week blockade. According to the UN's April report, one in five people in Gaza threatened starvation. In a more recent effort to deliver more relief, dozens of Palestinians died last week attempting to purchase food through a newly founded organization, the Gaza Humanitarian Project. This raised more questions about the disaster's seriousness.
