The Israeli Navy intercepted a vessel attempting to reach the Gaza Strip on Monday, June 9th, 2025. The ship, part of a group calling itself the "Freedom Flotilla," was carrying humanitarian aid and a delegation of activists, including prominent environmental campaigner Greta Thunberg. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the vessel was intercepted in international waters after repeated warnings to change course were ignored.
The IDF stated that the boarding was conducted peacefully and without incident. The ship was then redirected to an Israeli port for inspection. The IDF maintains that the naval blockade of Gaza is necessary for security reasons, preventing the entry of weapons and materials that could be used by Hamas.
The interception is likely to spark renewed international criticism of Israel's blockade policy. Proponents of the flotilla argue that the blockade inflicts hardship on the civilian population of Gaza and violates international law. Israel defends the blockade, citing its right to protect its citizens from attacks originating from the Gaza Strip. The incident is currently under investigation, and further details are expected to be released in the coming days.
Israeli Navy Intercepts Gaza-Bound Aid Flotilla
The Israeli Navy intercepted a vessel attempting to break the naval blockade of Gaza on Monday. The "Freedom Flotilla" was carrying aid and a group of activists, including environmental activist Greta Thunberg. The IDF stated the vessel was boarded and redirected to an Israeli port after refusing to change course. The incident is expected to renew debate over the ongoing blockade of the Gaza Strip.