Jerusalem, Israel - In a significant event that highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding the blockade of Gaza, the Israeli military has intercepted a humanitarian aid ship, the 'Madleen,' which was carrying renowned climate activist Greta Thunberg along with a group of other prominent activists. The ship was reportedly en route to deliver much-needed aid to the besieged Gaza Strip when it was detained by Israeli forces. Following its interception, the vessel was escorted to an Israeli port.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), the organization behind the aid effort, announced earlier that the Israeli military had boarded the 'Madleen' while it was navigating international waters. Israel's Foreign Ministry confirmed that the activists aboard the ship are expected to be returned to their home countries following the incident.

Among those onboard the 'Madleen' were Greta Thunberg, well-known for her environmental activism, Liam Cunningham, an actor from the hit series 'Game of Thrones,' and Rima Hassan, a member of the European Parliament from France. The FFC shared a photograph on their Telegram channel early Monday morning, depicting crew members sitting inside the boat with their hands raised, wearing life jackets. Notably, no Israeli Defense Force (IDF) personnel were visible in the image.

In a preceding statement, the FFC described the situation as an 'assault in international waters,' detailing the aggressive tactics employed by Israeli forces. They reported that 'quadcopter drones' were surrounding the ship, which began to spray what appeared to be a white paint-like substance. Moreover, the group claimed that communication systems aboard the ship were being jammed, and unsettling sounds were being broadcasted over the radio.

Israel has consistently asserted its commitment to preventing the aid vessel from reaching Gaza, branding it as a 'selfie yacht' intended for 'celebrities.' Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz emphasized this point, stating, 'I have instructed the IDF to ensure that the 'Madleen' flotilla does not reach Gaza.'

Reports from the aid boat indicated that the vessel first detected Israeli military activity during the early hours of Monday morning. Huwaida Arraf, an organizer with the Freedom Flotilla and a U.S. human rights lawyer, disclosed to CNN that two Israeli drones had been above the 'Madleen' and had sprayed a white chemical on it. As tensions escalated, Israeli naval commandos were said to have surrounded the boat.

During a live video stream from the ship, activist Yasmin Acar could be seen discussing the white substance on the deck, which she claimed had been dropped from the drones. She expressed concern for her well-being, noting that the substance was affecting her eyesight. As the stream concluded, Acar mentioned that Israeli military personnel were attempting to communicate with them.

In a response to the events, Israel's Foreign Ministry characterized the activists' actions as a media stunt aimed solely at garnering publicity. 'There are ways to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip that do not involve Instagram selfies,' the ministry stated in its remarks on X, formerly Twitter.

The 'Madleen' is part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, a group that has long campaigned against Israel's blockade of Gaza, seeking to breach the siege through maritime efforts. The crew had taken precautions for a potential interception, actively tracking their location online. As of Monday morning, the UK-flagged civilian vessel was located north of Egypt in the Mediterranean, gradually making its way toward the coast of Gaza.

Thunberg, aware of the risks involved in such missions, had expressed her concerns prior to the endeavor, stating, 'We know that it’s a very risky mission and we know that previous experiences with flotillas like this have resulted in attacks, violence, and even cases of death.'

In the wake of recent developments, Israel has begun allowing a limited amount of humanitarian aid to enter Gaza after an 11-week blockade that severely restricted assistance. However, humanitarian organizations continue to warn that the aid being permitted is merely a fraction of what was available before the onset of the conflict, leading to an escalating humanitarian crisis and the looming threat of widespread famine within Gaza.

In an earlier video shared on X, an Israeli Navy staff member was recorded issuing a radio communication to the vessel, declaring, 'The maritime zone off the coast of Gaza is closed to maritime traffic.' The message further emphasized that aid should be delivered through 'established channels.'

Israel's Foreign Ministry reiterated its stance on unauthorized attempts to breach the blockade, labeling them as dangerous and unlawful, which they argue undermines ongoing humanitarian efforts in the region. 'We call on all actors to act responsibly and to channel humanitarian aid through legitimate, coordinated mechanisms, not through provocation,' the ministry stated in their Monday announcement.

This situation continues to develop, and further updates are anticipated as the story unfolds.