Greta Thunberg ‘Safe & In Good Spirits’, Says Israel Amid Kidnap Claims, Photo Released

Gaza: Israeli commandos have intercepted a humanitarian vessel en route to the Gaza Strip, which was carrying climate activist Greta Thunberg and others. Among the passengers was Rima Hassan, a Member of the European Parliament (MEP). The British-flagged yacht Madleen, operated by the pro-Palestinian Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), was stopped during its mission. Hassan shared a photo from the scene, showing individuals in life jackets with their hands raised, as the interception unfolded.

"Greta Thunberg is currently on her way to Israel, safe and in good spirits," the Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed on Monday.

In a post on X, the Israel Foreign Ministry said, "All the passengers of the ‘selfie yacht’ are safe and unharmed. They were provided with sandwiches and water. The show is over."

Thunberg had set sail from Sicily on June 1 on the Madleen, part of the Freddom Flotilla coaltion, loaded with food and medical supplies for Gaza, according to The Times of Israel.

The Israe Ministry's post comes hours aftr Grta Thunberg alleged that they were "intercepted and kidnapped in international water" by Israeli occupational forces. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), which operated the vessel, shared a series of pre-recorded videos featuring activists who were on board the Medleen.

In one such post, Greta Thunberg said, “If you see this video we have been intercepted and kidnapped in international waters.” She calls on her supporters to put “pressure on the Swedish government to release me and the others as soon as possible.”

In a statement posted on X, the Israeli Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) said, "The 'selfie yacht' of the 'celebrities' is safely making its way to the shores of Israel. The passengers are expected to return to their home countries. While Greta and others attempted to stage a media provocation whose sole purpose was to gain publicity -- and which included less than a single truckload of aid -- more than 1,200 aid trucks have entered Gaza from Israel within the past two weeks. In addition, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has distributed close to 11 million meals directly to civilians in Gaza."

"There are ways to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip -- they do not involve Instagram selfies. The tiny amount of aid that was on the yacht and not consumed by the 'celebrities' will be transferred to Gaza through real humanitarian channels," it added.

Israeli Navy officials confirmed they are communicating with the vessel through an international civilian communication system. Authorities also said the yacht was instructed to change course as it neared a restricted area.

Meanwhile, The Jerusalem Post reported that the Gaza Freedom Flotilla Coalition said Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) intercepted the flotilla around 3 a.m. on Monday morning, according to a post on the group's Telegram channel. The post added that all contact with the 'Madleen' had been lost, and activists reported being attacked by drones that sprayed a white irritant substance on the boat shortly before the interception.

Posts from the flotilla's Telegram further stated that the boats' communication signals were jammed and disturbing sounds were played on their radios. Videos pre-recorded by activists in case they were "kidnapped" by the IDF were also shared. However, there have been no reports so far of any activists being detained.

(With inputs from agencies)