section_path: Activism/Pro-Palestinian activism/Gaza Freedom Flotilla
section_name: Gaza Freedom Flotilla
paragraph_text: Gaza Freedom Flotilla
  
  Thunberg was planning on boarding the Gaza Freedom Flotilla at a Maltese port in May 2025. The plans were cancelled when one of the vessels was attacked by drones in international waters off the coast of Malta. The mission of the flotilla was to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, the longstanding blockade of which Israel intensified during the Gaza war, causing famine and a humanitarian crisis, conditions that she has described as systemic starvation and genocide.
  
  In June 2025, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition launched a new aid mission to Gaza aboard the UK-flagged vessel Madleen, aiming to challenge Israel's naval blockade and deliver humanitarian supplies. The flotilla followed a 15-year history of similar attempts, many of which have been intercepted or blocked by Israeli forces. The mission came amid renewed global scrutiny of Israel's blockade, alleged drone attacks on previous flotilla ships, and growing criticism from international organizations over restricted aid access. Also aboard were high-profile figures including activist Thiago Ávila and MEP Rima Hassan, the latter previously barred from Israel for her pro-Palestinian stance; initially, actor Liam Cunningham was also meant to embark.
  
  In the early morning on 9 June, Madleen was boarded by the Israel Defense Forces in international waters, under the orders of Israel Defense Minister Israel Katz. This came after accusations from the crew on the board of harassment from Israeli ships and drones. At 3:34AM (GMT+3), a video from Thunberg was posted to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition X (Twitter) account, recorded in advance in the case that the ship was seized before reaching Gaza. Shortly after, Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the boat had been seized and was being taken to the Ashdod port. She was deported from Israel the day after. In an interview, Thunberg said it was "a bit unclear" why she was released while others remained detained. She said that she and some others had signed a document stating they wished to leave Israel as soon as possible, and that they had not entered the country illegally. Remarking on Thunberg's aid effort, Trump described her as "strange" and "angry". Upon arriving in Paris following her deportation from Israel, Thunberg responded, "I think the world needs a lot more young angry women, to be honest. Especially with everything going on right now."
  
  Thunberg was planning on boarding the Gaza Freedom Flotilla at a Maltese port in May 2025. The plans were cancelled when one of the vessels was attacked by drones in international waters off the coast of Malta. The mission of the flotilla was to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, the longstanding blockade of which Israel intensified during the Gaza war, causing famine and a humanitarian crisis, conditions that she has described as systemic starvation and genocide.
  
  In June 2025, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition launched a new aid mission to Gaza aboard the UK-flagged vessel Madleen, aiming to challenge Israel's naval blockade and deliver humanitarian supplies. The flotilla followed a 15-year history of similar attempts, many of which have been intercepted or blocked by Israeli forces. The mission came amid renewed global scrutiny of Israel's blockade, alleged drone attacks on previous flotilla ships, and growing criticism from international organizations over restricted aid access. Also aboard were high-profile figures including activist Thiago Ávila and MEP Rima Hassan, the latter previously barred from Israel for her pro-Palestinian stance; initially, actor Liam Cunningham was also meant to embark.
  
  In the early morning on 9 June, Madleen was boarded by the Israel Defense Forces in international waters, under the orders of Israel Defense Minister Israel Katz. This came after accusations from the crew on the board of harassment from Israeli ships and drones. At 3:34AM (GMT+3), a video from Thunberg was posted to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition X (Twitter) account, recorded in advance in the case that the ship was seized before reaching Gaza. Shortly after, Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the boat had been seized and was being taken to the Ashdod port. She was deported from Israel the day after. In an interview, Thunberg said it was "a bit unclear" why she was released while others remained detained. She said that she and some others had signed a document stating they wished to leave Israel as soon as possible, and that they had not entered the country illegally. Remarking on Thunberg's aid effort, Trump described her as "strange" and "angry". Upon arriving in Paris following her deportation from Israel, Thunberg responded, "I think the world needs a lot more young angry women, to be honest. Especially with everything going on right now."