Gaza aid ship with Greta Thunberg onboard diverted by Israeli forces

Greta Thunberg’s humanitarian ship has been intercepted by the Israeli military while trying to get to the Gaza Strip, Australia's leading news site reported.

A prerecorded video has been released of Thunberg, one of the world’s best known climate activists, urging help after being “intercepted and kidnapped”.

Meanwhile, Israel’s Foreign Affairs Ministry has released a statement saying the ship was “safely making its way to the shores of Israel” and that “the passengers are expected to return to their home countries”.

Thunberg was on the ship with other activists, which was carrying food and other supplies for Palestinians in the war-ravaged Gaza Strip.

Israel had warned on Sunday its military would stop the ship before it even made it to shore.

A prerecorded video has been released of Thunberg, one of the world’s best known climate activists, urging help after being “intercepted and kidnapped”.

Meanwhile, Israel’s Foreign Affairs Ministry has released a statement saying the ship was “safely making its way to the shores of Israel” and that “the passengers are expected to return to their home countries”.

Thunberg was on the ship with other activists, which was carrying food and other supplies for Palestinians in the war-ravaged Gaza Strip.

Israel had warned on Sunday its military would stop the ship before it even made it to shore.

Israel’s defence minister, who described the activists on board as “Hamas propaganda spokespeople”, told Thunberg to “turn back because you will not reach Gaza”.

“I have instructed the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) to act to prevent the Madleen flotilla from reaching the shores of Gaza — and to take whatever measures are necessary to that end,” Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said in a statement posted to X on Sunday, translated to English.

About 10.40am AEST on Monday, a prerecorded video was shared on Thunberg’s Instagram account by activist group Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which had been operating the ship.

“My name is Greta Thunberg and I am from Sweden. If you see this video, we have been intercepted and kidnapped in international waters by the Israeli occupational forces, or forces that support Israel,” she said.

“I urge all my friends, family and comrades to put pressure on the Swedish government to release me and the others as soon as possible.”