Israel's elite naval unit, Shayetet 13, intercepted the Gaza Freedom Flotilla in the early hours of June 9, according to ship operators and military officials.

The operation followed Defence Minister Israel Katz's directive to prevent the Madleen flotilla, carrying activists including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, from reaching Gaza.

"The 'celebrity selfie yacht' is safely heading to Israeli shores," the Foreign Ministry stated, as quoted by i24NEWS. "The passengers are expected to return to their home countries."

Video footage released by the Israel Foreign Ministry on X showed IDF personnel boarding the Madleen and providing passengers with sandwiches and water bottles.

"All the passengers of the 'selfie yacht' are safe and unharmed. They were provided with sandwiches and water. The show is over," the ministry's accompanying post read.

Prior to boarding, the Israeli Navy had established contact with the vessel and instructed it to alter course. "If you wish to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, you are able to do so through the Port of Ashdod via the established channels and distribution zones," an Israeli Navy sailor stated, as quoted by The Jerusalem Post.

Following the interception, military forces escorted the crew and vessel to the Port of Ashdod, where passengers will be repatriated to their respective countries. Katz has instructed that the passengers view footage from Hamas' October 7 attacks before their departure.

Earlier, Israel had ordered its military to prevent the humanitarian ship reaching Gaza, ABNA reported on June 8.

Thunberg said in an audio message to The Sunday Times: "We are fully aware of the dangers of our mission and we accept these dangers willingly. But we believe that silence in the face of genocide, injustice and the starvation of millions is a much greater danger."