Israel Deports Activists From Gaza Humanitarian Ships, Including Greta Thunberg

JAKARTA - Israel deported humanitarian activists on the Madleen Ship trying to break through the blockade on the Gaza Strip, Palestine, but its efforts were intercepted by the Israeli military on Monday.

Greta Thunberg along with 11 other activists on the Madleen ship were taken to Ashdod Harbor, Israel, before being deported today.

Israel's Foreign Ministry in a post on social media X Tuesday posted Greta on a plane to France to then take her to her home country, Sweden, quoted from The Times of Israel June 10.

Photographs shared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs showed the 22-year-old sitting in a hallway chair near the bathroom pending liftoff.

Meanwhile, French Foreign Minister Jean-No Total Barrut said one of the French nationals aboard the Madleen ship signed an Israeli deportation form and will return to France today.

Greta Thunberg just departed Israel on a flight to Sweden (via France). pic.twitter.com/kWrI9KVoqX

— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) June 10, 2025

Greta Thunberg just departed Israel on a flight to Sweden (via France). pic.twitter.com/kWrI9KVoqX

However, Foreign Minister Barrot did not mention the names of activists who had agreed to leave voluntarily.

Five other French nationals on board refused to sign a deportation form, Foreign Minister Barrot said.

Activists are at a detention center in Ramle, near the airport. French consulate officials contacted the families of the detainees at night, after visiting activists.

Meanwhile, Israeli media said four of the 12 activists, including Greta, agreed to sign voluntary departure documents, as reported by WAFA.

However, eight other activists refused to sign the document, including Rima Hassan, a member of the European Parliament from France, who had previously been deported from the country upon arrival at Ben Gurion Airport.

Activists who refuse to be detained in the Givon Center for residents (illegal) - according to Israeli claims - for 96 hours. After this period, they will be deported with or without their consent.

Israel is known to have blockaded the Gaza Strip since March 2, a move claimed to pressure the Hamas group to accept a ceasefire deal and hostages.

In addition, Israel has imposed a sea blockade in the Palestinian enclave since Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007. Israel said it was aimed at stopping the weapons from reaching Hamas.

The blockade remains in effect during the conflict, including the current war, which began when Palestinian militants led to attack Israel's southern region on October 7, 2023.