Tel Aviv, Israel — Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and a group of humanitarian volunteers were taken to Ben Gurion Airport on Tuesday following the interception of their aid ship, aimed at supporting Gaza, by the Israeli navy. The vessel, named Madleen, was stopped in international waters on Monday while it was en route to deliver supplies to a region facing severe humanitarian challenges.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the organization behind the Madleen, reported that the ship left Italy on June 1 carrying food and other essential items as part of a mission to raise awareness of the dire situation in Gaza, where the United Nations has warned of potential famine affecting the entire population. Upon interception, the activists aboard the vessel were captured by Israeli forces, who towed the ship to the port of Ashdod.

According to the Israeli foreign ministry, the passengers were processed for deportation and were advised to sign documents stating their intent to leave the country voluntarily. Those who refused were warned they would face legal proceedings. Activist groups allege all 12 individuals aboard are in the custody of Israeli authorities.

Footage shared by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition showed the activists raising their hands in compliance as Israeli forces boarded the vessel. Reports indicated that no injuries occurred during the operation. Activists are now anticipated to depart for their home countries potentially as soon as Tuesday night.

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron requested the expedited return of the six French nationals involved, highlighting the diplomatic implications of the interception. Legal support from Adalah, an Israeli organization focused on Arab minority rights, has been extended to the activists, who had reached out for assistance amid their custody.

Responses to the interception have drawn international condemnation, with Turkey decrying it as a “terrorist act” and Iran labeling the boarding a form of piracy. The interception followed previous incidents involving humanitarian vessels, raising ongoing concerns about the Israeli naval blockade on Gaza, which Israeli officials claim is essential for preventing the import of weapons by Palestinian militants.

Amid criticism, Israel has recently permitted limited aid deliveries into Gaza after a prolonged halt, collaborating with a new, U.S.-backed initiative called the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. However, several humanitarian organizations, alongside the United Nations, have expressed reservations regarding the foundation’s operations and neutrality in the conflict.

Compounding the humanitarian strain, a land convoy comprising nine buses launched from Tunisia as part of a “symbolic act” to challenge the Gaza blockade. While organizers aim for visibility rather than delivering aid, the convoy’s route through Libya and Egypt is pending approval from Cairo.

As Israel faces increasing pressure to allow more aid into Gaza, the plight of residents continues to escalate, with reports indicating rising fatalities near distribution points for humanitarian assistance. The situation remains fluid as the international community watches closely for developments following the Madleen incident and other related actions in the region.