Israel has deported Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, a day after seizing the Gaza-bound humanitarian aid ship on which she was sailing alongside 11 others. Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs ...

The Madleen’s captain, Mark van Reenes, deported on Thursday, is a Dutch national who filmed himself just before Israel seized the ship.

Israel has deported Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and three others, after seizing the Madleen, the Gaza-bound humanitarian aid ship on which Thunberg was sailing in a crew of 12.

The Gaza-bound aid boat, Madleen, left, under escort of Israeli naval forces making its way toward Ashdod Port in southern Israel after being seized by Israeli forces, Monday, June 9, 2025.

The Gaza-bound aid boat, Madleen, left, under escort of Israeli naval forces making its way toward Ashdod Port in southern Israel after being seized by Israeli forces, Monday, June 9, 2025.

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In the face of global anger, Israel announces planned humanitarian pause in civilian centres to enable aid distribution.

The Madleen was intercepted by Israeli authorities on June 9, about 100 nautical miles (185 kilometers) west of Gaza’s coast, after it defied repeated warnings by Israel to turn around.

Israel did not respond to those accusations. On 3 June, the FFC said that an Israel-made Hellenic Coastguard drone (IAI Heron UAV) was seen hovering over the Madleen.

Early on Monday, the Madleen, a British-flagged vessel, was intercepted and boarded by Israeli forces before it could reach Gaza. The ship was subsequently towed to an Israeli port.

The Madleen, operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, left Italy on 1 June with the aim of delivering aid and challenging the Israeli blockade, which has been in place for years even before the ...