Israeli ministers are considering a proposal to hold Greta Thunberg and other Gaza-bound activists in “terrorist-level” conditions if their vessels are intercepted, according to an article in Israel Hayom.
The plan, attributed to National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, foresees detentions at Ktzi’ot and the Damon women’s facility and the seizure of participating boats. The newspaper said the proposal would be presented to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. There has been no official announcement from the Israeli government.
The latest flotilla, organised under the Global Sumud banner, set out from Barcelona on Sunday, 31 August. Organisers describe it as the largest such mission to date, with delegations from about 44 countries and additional vessels expected to depart from Italy and Tunisia this week. The Guardian reported that further boats were due to leave on 4 September.
Poor weather forced several boats, including the one carrying Ms Thunberg, to return to Barcelona on Monday, 1 September. It was not immediately clear when they would resume their voyage. Reuters and other outlets reported that further ships from Genoa, Catania and Tunis were still slated to join.
Public figures aboard or backing the effort include the Irish actor Liam Cunningham and Barcelona’s former mayor Ada Colau. Reporting by international agencies and local media has also listed participants from across Europe and Latin America.
Ms Thunberg has framed the mission as an attempt to deliver aid and challenge what she calls an “illegal” blockade. In an interview broadcast before departure she rejected allegations of antisemitism, saying it was “not antisemitic” to call for people to live “in freedom and dignity”. Israel’s military, in a statement sent to media, reiterated that it enforces a security naval blockade on Gaza and is prepared for “a wide range of scenarios” under political direction.
Israel Hayom’s account of Mr Ben-Gvir’s proposal set out two elements: detention in strict conditions and seizure of vessels to form a police maritime unit. Individuals quoted as close to the minister said the approach was intended to deter repeated attempts to breach the blockade. The report said a legal review had already been shown that would allow confiscation of the boats.
A smaller flotilla in June was intercepted at sea. The UK-flagged Madleen, carrying 12 activists including Ms Thunberg, was boarded by Israeli forces roughly 185km (about 115 miles) west of Gaza and escorted to Ashdod. Several activists were deported, among them Ms Thunberg, who flew to Paris and said the group had been “kidnapped in international waters.” Israel’s foreign ministry dismissed the voyage as a stunt; Defence Minister Israel Katz said detainees were offered a film of Hamas’s 7 October attacks, which they declined to watch.
During that episode Mr Katz said Israel would act decisively to prevent attempts to breach the naval cordon. The military maintains that the blockade is a security measure designed to stop weapons reaching Hamas and other armed groups.
Ms Thunberg’s June comments drew a response from US President Donald Trump, who said Israel had “enough problems without kidnapping Greta Thunberg,” and suggested she should attend “anger management” classes. The remarks were made on 9–10 June.
Organisers of the current convoy say thousands registered interest in joining, and that cargoes include food and medical supplies gathered by local networks. Media reports in Italy said part of the aid was loaded in Genoa, with additional sailings from Sicily planned for 4 September.
Israel has blocked prior attempts to reach Gaza by sea and says there are authorised mechanisms to deliver assistance. The navy is expected to intercept any approaching vessels well before they reach the coastal enclave. In 2010, a botched interdiction of a Turkish-flagged ship left nine activists dead; since then, Israel has typically boarded ships in international waters and escorted them to Ashdod for processing and deportation.
Some activists and legal scholars argue that the blockade violates international law; Israel disputes this. A separate legal process continues at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, where South Africa has accused Israel of genocide. The Court has issued provisional measures but has not delivered any ruling on whether genocide is being committed, and a final judgment is not expected soon.
