Israeli naval forces have intercepted the Madleen, an aid ship bound for Gaza, detaining its crew - including prominent climate activist Greta Thunberg and Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament - and directing the vessel to Israel, according to the Israeli Foreign Ministry.

The ship, organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, was stopped in international waters approximately 100 nautical miles (185km) from the coast of Gaza. A photo posted on Hassan’s official X account showed the crew seated on the boat, all wearing life jackets with their hands raised. “The crew of the Freedom Flotilla was arrested by the Israeli army in international waters around 2am,” she wrote.

The Madleen was carrying humanitarian aid in a symbolic and direct challenge to Israel’s blockade of Gaza, which has drawn increasing international concern amid a worsening humanitarian crisis in the besieged territory.

Thunberg had joined the mission as part of a broader campaign calling for global solidarity with Palestinians. Her presence has drawn widespread attention to the flotilla’s goals and the ongoing situation in Gaza.

Israeli authorities have stated that the crew is being brought to Israel for questioning. No reports of injuries or violence during the seizure have emerged so far.