Israeli Navy Intercepts 'Selfie Yacht', Redirects to Ashdod Port

Monday, 9 June 2025 | Without conflict: IDF Navy's Shayetet 13 commandos have taken control of the vessel 'Madeline' that was making its way to the Gaza Strip, early Monday. The forces redirected the ship to Ashdod port. 

The Foreign Ministry announced that "The 'selfie yacht' of the 'celebrities' is safely making its way to the shores of Israel. The passengers are expected to return to their home countries." The ministry added that "While Greta (Thunberg) and others attempted to stage a media provocation whose sole purpose was to gain publicity—and which included less than a single truckload of aid—more than 1,200 aid trucks have entered Gaza from Israel within the past two weeks, and in addition, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has distributed close to 11 million meals directly to civilians in Gaza." 

"There are ways to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip—they do not involve Instagram selfies," they added, "The tiny amount of aid that was on the yacht and not consumed by the 'celebrities' will be transferred to Gaza through real humanitarian channels." 

There were no casualties among the IDF forces during the takeover, and the Foreign Ministry reported that the flotilla activists were also "healthy and safe"—and footage was published showing IDF soldiers distributing sandwiches and water to the flotilla activists. Later, footage of activist Greta Thunberg was published, and the Foreign Ministry wrote that she "is on her way to Israel, safe and in good spirits." 

Defense Minister Israel Katz said he had instructed the IDF to show the flotilla passengers the "horror video" of the October 7 massacre. 

"It is appropriate that the antisemitic Greta and her fellow Hamas supporters see exactly who the Hamas terrorist organization they came to support and for whom they are working is, what atrocities they committed against women, the elderly and children, and against whom Israel is fighting to defend itself," the minister's office said. 

Activists aboard the 'Madleen' flotilla to Gaza claimed early Monday that "contact with the vessel has been lost" and that "IDF forces boarded the deck" via Telegram messaging app, after the Navy had earlier called on the activists to turn around and move away from Gaza's shores. 

Earlier, activists on the pro-Palestinian flotilla headed for Gaza, carrying climate activist Greta Thunberg, released videos claiming that "the ship is under attack in international waters. Drones are circling the ship and spraying an irritant substance. Communications have been damaged, and interference frequencies can be heard on the radio network." 

The Foreign Ministry stated [regarding] the ‘Madleen' flotilla to Gaza Strip, which carries climate activist Greta Thunberg, "The Israeli Navy is currently in communication with the 'Selfie Yacht'," the statement said. "Through an international communication system, the Navy ordered the 'Selfie Yacht' to change its course as it is approaching a restricted area." 

Throughout the weekend and into Sunday, tensions surfaced between the IDF and senior government officials. While politicians publicly sought to leverage the incident for domestic media impact, military officials preferred to keep a low profile, concerned that any overreaction would play into the hands of activists aboard the ship Madleen, who had prepared for confrontation and planned to livestream the encounter on social media. 

Political sources leaked details about the Navy’s preparations, particularly those involving the elite Shayetet 13 commando unit, which has been training to stop the vessel in international waters. The IDF has been tracking the boat by air and carrying out quiet jamming operations in recent days, according to officials. The goal is to halt the flotilla without violence, applying lessons learned from the deadly 2010 Mavi Marmara incident in which an Israeli naval raid on a Turkish-led flotilla attempting to breach the Gaza blockade resulted in the deaths of 10 activists, sparking global controversy. 

“These activists aren’t coming to help Gazans—they want to create a media spectacle against Israel,” an IDF source said. “We must avoid playing into their hands. Just as we’ve quietly stopped previous flotillas, isolated the sailing zone and convinced them to turn back without using force, we’ll do the same this time. It’s no great heroism to show commandos overpowering a few provocative, anti-Israel activists. This can and should be resolved quietly.” 

Defense Minister Israel Katz took a harder line earlier Sunday, declaring that the vessel would not reach Gaza. “I have ordered all necessary measures to prevent it,” he said. Police confirmed that if Israeli forces take control of the ship, it will be towed to Ashdod Port. 

“Israel will not allow anyone to break the naval blockade on Gaza—its primary aim is to prevent weapons from reaching Hamas,” Katz said. Addressing the activists, he added: “To Greta the antisemite and her Hamas propaganda-spouting friends—I say clearly: Turn back now. You will not reach Gaza. Israel will act against any attempt to break the blockade or assist terror groups—by sea, air or land.” 

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the organization behind the voyage, dismissed the threats: “We will not be deterred. The world is watching,” it said in a statement. “The Madleen is a civilian, unarmed vessel sailing in international waters, carrying humanitarian aid and human rights defenders. Israel has no right to disrupt our efforts to reach Gaza.” 

Flotilla participants have continued speaking to international media, framing their mission as peaceful and warning of possible escalation. Activist Yasmine Ajar told Qatar-based Al Araby TV: “We’re 160 miles (260 km) from Gaza. We don’t know when we’ll arrive.” She later posted a video claiming GPS interference. “If you don’t hear from us soon, it means communication has been cut,” she said. 

In her interview, Ajar urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to “end his war on Gaza instead of targeting us.” She added, “There are 12 activists on board, and we are optimistic about our mission. Israel won’t deter us or stop us from breaking the blockade. We were attacked in international waters four weeks ago, and no one reacted. The siege on Gaza continues because the world is watching. We say to the world: don’t worry about us—worry about the people of Gaza.” 

Another passenger, Dr. Baptiste Andrée, told Al Jazeera: “Drones are flying overhead at high altitude for hours. We’re in constant contact with various parties, including the French Foreign Ministry. We’re carrying a symbolic amount of medical aid. Our demand is simple: end the blockade on Gaza.”