Israeli naval forces have intercepted and forcibly boarded the humanitarian vessel Madleen, which was en route to the besieged Gaza Strip to deliver vital aid and raise awareness about the ongoing blockade.

The vessel, carrying 12 peaceful pro-Palestinian activists, including prominent human rights defenders, was seized in international waters and is now being towed against its will to the Israeli-occupied port of Ashdod.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which organized the mission, confirmed earlier reports that contact with the Madleen had been lost after Israeli occupation forces (IOF) launched an unprovoked military operation to seize the vessel. A photo released by the group shows the activists with their hands raised and wearing lifejackets — a clear indication of their nonviolent stance and compliance in the face of armed aggression.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry openly mocked the humanitarian mission, calling the Madleen a “selfie yacht” and deriding the passengers as “celebrities” seeking attention — a crude attempt to delegitimize their courageous stand against injustice. Among those involved in the initiative is Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, whose vocal support for Palestinian rights has drawn global attention.

“The show is over,” the ministry stated in a now-deleted post on X, celebrating the hijacking of a civilian aid ship while downplaying the grave violation of international law and the activists' right to peaceful protest.

Despite Israel's claims that the passengers will be returned to their home countries, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition remains deeply concerned for their safety. The organization called on the international community to hold Israel accountable for what it calls an “act of piracy and repression.”

Activists aboard the Madleen had recorded urgent appeals to their governments before communication was cut off, pleading for diplomatic pressure to secure their release and to stop Israeli interference in humanitarian missions.

This incident highlights Israel’s ongoing attempts to suppress international solidarity with Palestinians and prevent aid from reaching the over two million residents of Gaza, who continue to suffer under a crippling blockade imposed for nearly two decades.

Observers and human rights organizations worldwide are condemning the seizure as a flagrant attack on civil society and a clear violation of maritime law.

“This is not just an attack on a boat — it’s an attack on justice, on human dignity, and on those who dare to stand in solidarity with the oppressed,” the coalition said. (ILKHA)