A ship with aid supplies for Gaza carrying Greta Thunberg and other activists is nearing the Palestinian enclave. Israel has warned it will not allow the vessel to reach the territory. DW has more A boat carrying aid for Gaza, with Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg onboard, is approaching the coast of the Palestinian territory The ship is carrying desperately-needed humanitarian supplies for the Gaza Strip, where the UN has warned that the entire population is at risk of famine Israel said Sunday that it would not allow the Madleen to reach Gaza, warning it to turn back French MEP Rima Hassan, who is also on board, said Sunday that they would continue “until the last minute” Early on Monday, the Freedom Flotilla Coaltion’s ship said it was being surrounded by quadcopters and was coming “under assault” from Israeli forces Israel’s Navy has said it instructed the vessel to “change course” away from Gaza
Follow DW for updates on the situation in Gaza, Israel and the wider Middle East region on Monday, June 9, 2025:
Madleen surrounded by quadcopters, Freedom Flotilla Coalition says The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, responsible for the Madleen boat carrying aid for Gaza, said it was “under assault in international waters” as it approached the besieged Palestinian enclave in the early hours of Monday.
“Quadcopters are surrounding the ship, spraying it with a white irritant substance,” the Freedom Flotilla Coalition said on its Telegram channel.
“Communications are jammed, and disturbing sounds are being played over the radio.”
The group then said the Israeli army had “boarded the vessel.”
Israel’s Foreign Ministry said the Israeli Navy was communicating with the aid ship, calling it the “selfie yacht.”
“Using an international civilian communication system, the Israeli Navy has instructed the “selfie yacht” to change its course due to its approach toward a restricted area,” the ministry said on X.
The post included a video purportedly showing an Israeli official announcing the following message: “The maritime zone of the coast of Gaza is closed to naval traffic. It’s part of the… naval blockade. If you wish to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, you’re able to do so through the port of Ashdod via the established channels…”
Welcome to our coverage A ship carrying humanitarian aid bound for the Gaza Strip is approaching the Palestinian enclave, which is under an Israeli blockade.
In addition to much-need supplies, the British-flagged Madleen is carrying climate advocate Greta Thunberg and several other activists.
As it neared Gaza early on Monday morning, the occupants aboard the Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s ship said it was coming “under assault” from Israeli forces and was surrounded by quadcopters.
Israel’s Navy has said it has told the aid ship to change course.
On Sunday, Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz said that he had instructed the military to stop the ship from reaching Gaza, warning “the antisemitic Greta and her Hamas-propaganda-spouting friends” to turn back.
We’ll bring you the latest developments on the situation in Gaza and the wider Middle East region on Monday, June 9, 2025.
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