'Intercepted and kidnapped,' claims Greta on way to Gaza
While Thunberg, and 11 other activists were on their way to Gaza, Greta claimed that her ship had been "intercepted and kidnapped" by Israeli forces. “If you see this video, we are being intercepted and kidnapped in international waters by the Israeli occupational forces, or forces that support Israel. 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,” she said. (Image: X - @GazaFFlotilla)
'Diverted' not 'kidnapped'
Israel offered a clarification into the claim that the ship had been "diverted" to its shores and not "kidnapped". (Image: X - @GazaFFlotilla)
'Greta safe and in good spirits'
Posting a picture of Greta Thunberg smiling, Israel foreign ministry captioned it: "Greta Thunberg is currently on her way to Israel, safe and in good spirits." (Image: X - @IsraelMFA)
‘Selfie yacht passengers safe'
In a pointed response to the activists, Israel shared a video showing IDF personnel supplying food and water to those aboard the aid ship. Referring to them as "selfie yacht passengers," the post declared that "the show is over." "All the passengers of the ‘selfie yacht’ are safe and unharmed. They were provided with sandwiches and water. The show is over," it said. (Image: X - @IsraelMFA)
'Delivering aid doesn't involve Instagram selfies'
Justifying the decision to divert the ship to Israel, the Foreign Ministry stated that there are established channels for delivering aid to Gaza, “which does not involve Instagram selfies.” "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," it said. (AP image)
'Publicity' stunt
Israel condemned the "kidnapped" claim as a "publicity" stunt. "While Greta 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," it said. (AP image)
Tiny aid' left would be delivered to Gaza, says Israel
Assuring that the aid on the ship would be delivered to Gaza, Israel said, "There are ways to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip — they do not involve Instagram selfies. 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." (Image: X - @IsraelMFA)
Gaza residents heavily reliant on international aid
The October 7 Hamas-led attack killed about 1,200 people in Israel and took 251 hostages, with 55 still held—many presumed dead. In response, Israel’s military campaign has killed over 54,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children according to Gaza’s health ministry. The war has devastated Gaza, displacing nearly 90% of its population and leaving residents heavily reliant on international aid. (AP image)