Israel has vowed to prevent a humanitarian aid boat carrying climate activist Greta Thunberg and other activists from reaching Gaza, as it sets sail for the Palestinian territory with the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. The Madleen boat departed from Catania, Italy on June 1, 2025, but Israel's Navy is expected to intercept it, in a move that could escalate tensions in the region.
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20250609/p2g/00m/0in/004000cA British-flagged yacht, Madleen, operated by the pro-Palestinian Freedom Flotilla Coalition, set sail from Sicily on June 6 and is headed towards Gaza, which is under siege by Israel. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Katz has instructed the IDF to prevent the yacht's arrival, warning climate activist Greta Thunberg that she will not reach Gaza due to the blockade. The blockade, Israel claims, is essential for national security, but critics argue it exacerbates humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where over 54,000 Palestinians have died and much of the territory has been reduced to rubble.
https://channelnewsasia.com/world/israel-stop-gaza-yacht-greta-thunberg-5170476The humanitarian ship Madleen, carrying Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and 11 other volunteers, was intercepted by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in international waters using drones and unidentified chemicals. The IDF used drones to surround the ship and spray it with a white paint-like substance, jamming communications and playing disturbing sounds over the radio. The volunteers were reportedly rammed and intercepted before Israeli forces boarded the vessel, losing contact with them seconds later. Greta Thunberg appealed to the Swedish government for her release, stating she was an unarmed civilian carrying humanitarian aid, including baby formula and medical supplies, for the besieged population of Gaza.
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/video-moment-gaza-bound-freedom-flotilla-was-intercepted-by-israeli-forces-8621747Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz said the crew of a British-flagged yacht, Madleen, sailing to Gaza will be forced to watch a video of Hamas' October 7 atrocities after being intercepted by the IDF. The crew, including climate activist Greta Thunberg, faced a terrifying night in international waters before being stopped and taken to the Israeli Port of Ashdod. Katz said it was 'appropriate' for the crew to see footage of the horrors committed against women, the elderly, and children by Hamas during the October 7 massacre, which killed over 1,200 people.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14793285/greta-thunberg-freedom-flotilla-hamas-videos.htmlIsraeli forces have seized a British-flagged yacht, Madleen, carrying activist Greta Thunberg and a crew of 12, including aid intended for Gaza, in defiance of an Israeli naval blockade. The vessel was part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition's attempt to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
https://www.asiaone.com/world/israeli-forces-seize-gaza-aid-boat-carrying-greta-thunberg-ministry-saysChina's delegation, led by Vice Premier He Lifeng, is set to meet with American negotiators in a bid to ease tensions over trade restrictions. The US wants China to relax curbs on rare earth exports, while Chinese officials aim to have the US lift its restrictions on access to critical technologies such as semiconductors and jet engines.
https://www.firstpost.com/world/us-and-china-to-hold-trade-talks-in-london-focusing-on-export-controls-13895518.htmlJapanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba spoke by phone with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on June 9, 2025, in a call that aimed to ease tensions between the two nations. The conversation was seen as an effort to improve relations between Japan and South Korea, which have been strained due to historical disputes and trade issues.
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20250609/p2g/00m/0na/019000cIsraeli Defence Minister Israel Katz ordered the military to prevent the Madleen from reaching Gaza, calling it a propaganda effort in support of Hamas. The blockade has led to warnings of famine among Gaza's 2 million Palestinians, with humanitarian workers urging its lifting and an end to the military offensive. A failed attempt by Freedom Flotilla to reach Gaza by sea last month was blamed on Israel, which had previously sealed off Gaza from all aid following a Hamas-led attack in October 2023 that killed around 1,200 people, mostly civilians.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/freedom-flotilla-coalition-madleen-aid-ship-to-gaza-israel-blockade-june-9-2025/article69672748.eceIsraeli Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered the military to stop a ship called "Madeleine" carrying Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and aid, including rice and baby food, from sailing towards Gaza, violating the Israeli blockade. The ship, operated by pro-Palestinian humanitarian organization Freedom Flotilla, is currently off the Egyptian coast, slowly moving towards Gaza.
https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/977169-israel-to-anti-semite-greta-go-back-you-won-t-reach-gaza