Israeli military boards Gaza-bound aid ship carrying Greta Thunberg, diverts it to Israel

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) has said that the Israeli military has boarded its aid ship heading to Gaza, which had climate activist Greta Thunberg on board, and that all contact with the vessel has been lost.

The group shared a photo on Telegram on Monday showing crew members of the ship “Madleen” sitting with lifejackets on and their hands raised. No Israeli soldiers are visible in the image.

“Quadcopters are surrounding the ship, spraying it with a white paint-like substance. Communications are jammed, and disturbing sounds are being played over the radio,” FFC said on its Telegram channel.

“I have instructed the IDF to ensure that the ‘Madleen’ flotilla does not reach Gaza,” Israeli defense minister Israel Katz said on Sunday.

Climate activist Greta Thunberg, “Game of Thrones” actor Liam Cunningham, and French MEP Rima Hassan are among those on the boat Madleen.

The FFC group shared a photo on Telegram early Monday showing the crew inside the boat wearing lifejackets and raising their hands. No Israeli soldiers are visible in the picture.

Earlier, the group claimed the ship was “attacked in international waters.”

The FFC said on Telegram that drones were circling the ship, spraying it with a white, paint-like substance. They also reported that communications were blocked and strange noises were being broadcast over the radio.

Israel has repeatedly said it will not let the aid boat reach Gaza, calling it a “selfie yacht” full of “celebrities.”

“I’ve ordered the IDF to stop the ‘Madleen’ flotilla from reaching Gaza,” said Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said.

This is a developing story.