Greta Samberg, a 22-year-old climate activist from Sweden, along with several companions, was taken into custody by Israeli authorities on Monday while attempting to deliver humanitarian supplies to Gaza, which is currently experiencing a food shortage due to the ongoing conflict with Israel.
The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on social media that the “celebrity selfie yacht” is being redirected towards Israeli shores and that the passengers are expected to return home.
Lima Hassan, a member of the European Parliament from France, was also aboard the aid vessel that was detained.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) organized the Madleen ship for this mission, aiming to provide essential supplies to Gaza. They reported that Israeli forces “attacked and forcibly intercepted” the ship, claiming that unarmed civilians were accused of carrying life-saving items like baby formula, food, and medical supplies.
In a pre-recorded message, Thunberg remarked that they were intercepted in international waters by Israeli forces. She expressed this in a video message shared by the FFC.
Meanwhile, the MFA shared a video online showing Israeli soldiers distributing sandwiches and water to Samberg and other people aboard the boat.
Israel has reiterated its plan to prevent the ship from reaching Gaza, often referring to the Madleen as a “selfie yacht” for “celebrities.” They also released a video claiming to have issued warning signals before the interception.
The MFA asserted that the maritime zone off Gaza is closed to unauthorized vessels due to a legal naval blockade, justifying their actions.
According to the MFA, “All passengers on the ‘selfie yacht’ are safe and unharmed,” while accusing Samberg and her group of orchestrating a publicity stunt.
The government further announced that Samberg is now safe and on her way to Israel.
The FFC, alongside Thunberg, maintains that Israeli forces are blocking adequate humanitarian aid to Gaza’s civilians and is pushing for their mission.
Recently, the International Food Policy Research Institute reported that the two million residents of Gaza have been facing a severe food crisis that has worsened following the attack by Hamas on Israeli civilians on October 7, 2023. Last month, leaders of the UK, France, and Canada described the situation in Gaza as having reached “unbearable” levels of human suffering.
In an update regarding the Madleen’s capture, the Israeli government stated that “a small amount of aid on yachts not consumed by ‘celebrity’ will be transferred to Gaza through actual humanitarian channels.”
They added, “Greta and others have attempted to create media provocations for publicity and aid, but in the past two weeks, over 1,200 aid trucks have entered Gaza from Israel. There are legitimate ways to deliver aid to Gaza that don’t involve Instagram selfies.”
