The Israeli military intercepted and seized the Gaza-bound aid vessel Madleen on Monday, towing it to Israeli territory, according to a statement from the Israeli Foreign Ministry. The Ministry stated that all individuals aboard the vessel will be deported to their respective home countries.

The Madleen, a British-flagged yacht operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), had departed from Sicily on June 1. It was reportedly carrying a small shipment of humanitarian aid, including rice and infant formula. Notable passengers included Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and French Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan.

The vessel was en route to the Gaza Strip when it was intercepted by Israeli forces. Earlier in the day, the FFC accused Israeli troops of forcibly boarding the yacht and “abducting” the activists on board, as it attempted to breach the naval blockade imposed on Gaza.

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Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in the Palestinian territories, voiced strong support for the mission. She encouraged continued efforts to break the blockade, stating on X: “Madleen’s journey may have ended, but the mission isn’t over. Every Mediterranean port must send boats with aid & solidarity to Gaza.”

Albanese also urged diplomatic intervention, calling on the UK government to seek clarification and push for the immediate release of the vessel and its crew, especially since the interception reportedly occurred in international waters.