CAIRO — Israeli forces intercepted the Gaza-bound aid vessel Madleen today, which carried Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and other international campaigners. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition said contact was lost with the ship after Israeli forces boarded it, claiming the activists were "kidnapped" in international waters.

The Madleen, which set sail from Italy on June 1, aimed to deliver humanitarian aid and challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza. Israeli officials said the vessel was warned to change course and is now being towed to Israeli shores. The passengers are expected to be deported, and the aid will be rerouted through official humanitarian channels.

Thunberg, in a pre-recorded video, said: “If you see this, we’ve been intercepted and kidnapped.” The interception comes amid rising concerns of famine and disease in Gaza, now 21 months into the war