Israel “attacked/forcefully intercepted” the vessel in international waters, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition said in a statement. The organization said Israel had no legal authority to detain the crew. “The vessel was unlawfully boarded, the unarmed civilian crew members were abducted, and the life-saving cargo, including baby formula, food and medical supplies, was seized.”

Freedom Flotilla Coalition has also shared videos in which the crew members call on their home governments to work for their release. For example, Dutch captain Mark van Rennes addresses The Hague. The organization also says that governments “must fulfill their obligations under international law and stop enabling Israel’s crimes.”

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There are twelve passengers on board the activist ship, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and Captain Mark van Rennes.

'Hezbollah leader was an inspiration to humanity'

Some of the Madleen's crew have a rather dubious reputation. For example, Brazilian activist Thiago Avila is sailing along. Avila, 38, attended the funeral of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in Lebanon in September 2024, earlier this year.

Avila spoke with great respect about the liquidated"top terrorist" and called Nasrallah a "beloved" leader and a "martyr." The Brazilian declared himself "very honored" to participate in the funeral. As icing on the cake, Avila called the fallen Hezbollah leader an"inspiration" to people all over the world.

'Completely legitimate act of terrorism'

Also on board is Berlin-born Yasemin Acar, who, according to the Bild newspaper, celebrated Iran's missile attack on Israel last fall by dancing in the kitchen with a friend. Acar is a prominent pro-Palestinian activist and has organized several mass protests against Israel.

Crew member Rima Hassan, a French far-left politician from La France Insoumise, said after the October 7 Hamas massacre that the terrorist attack was “completely legitimate.”

The ship was carrying aid for Gaza. On Instagram, they now call themselves hostages. They are calling for their release.

Earlier in the night, a group of boats approached the activist ship, but they appeared to leave after a while. Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz said he had ordered his military to prevent the Madleen from actually sailing to Gaza.

Israeli elite unit warns Greta Thunberg sailing to Gaza with boat full of Hamas fans: 'We will act'

The navy demanded a change of course from the activist ship as it approached a restricted area, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said.

'Madleen surrounded by drones'

Gaza Freedom Flotilla reported earlier on Instagram that the Madleen was surrounded by drones, which “sprayed the ship with a white, paint-like substance.” According to a post by the organization, the activist ship’s communication lines were also disrupted and disruptive noises were being broadcast over the radio.

According to The Jerusalem Post, Defense Minister Katz gave instructions to force Thunberg and the rest of the crew to watch footage of the October 7, 2002, attacks. That terrorist attack killed 1,200 people and took 200 hostages, of whom about 55 are still held in Gaza.

“It is fitting that the anti-Semitic Greta and her fellow Hamas supporters see exactly what the terrorist organization they support and work for is,” Katz said. “The atrocities this organization has committed against women, the elderly and children, and which Israel is fighting to defend itself against.”