The Madleen boat has reached the Ashdod port in Israel after Israeli forces intercepted the Gaza-bound vessel off the coast of Egypt.
Israel has vowed to deport all 12 activists on board the Madleen, including climate activist Greta Thunberg.
The UK-flagged boat, which was carrying a symbolic amount of aid and intended to break Israel’s naval blockade around Gaza, in place since 2007, was intercepted in the early hours of Monday morning.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which had organised the voyage, said the activists were “kidnapped by Israeli forces” while trying to deliver desperately needed aid to the territory.
The Israeli foreign minstry said the passengers of the boat are currently undergoing medical examinations after arriving at Ashdod port.
Defence minister Israel Katz has dismissed the activists as engaged in a publicity stunt and said the vessel would be transported to the port of Ashdod.
Mr Katz said he had told the military to force the passengers to watch videos of the Hamas atrocities of 7 October upon arrival “to see exactly who the terrorist organisation they came to support and for whom they work is”.
Israel intercepts Gaza-bound Madleen
- Madleen reaches Ashdod port, Israel confirms
- Israel 'rams and boards' Gaza-bound Madleen
- Israel says it will force Thunberg to watch videos of Hamas' October 7 attacks
- Why was the Madleen sailing to Gaza?
- British MP calls on Labour government to protect UK-flagged Madleen
How many times have sailors tried to break Israel’s naval blockade on Gaza?
22:14
,
Jabed Ahmed
There have been at least eleven occasions when Israel has intercepted activists or pro-Palestinian militants attempting to break its blockade on Gaza, we can report.
Israel’s blockade on Gaza has been in place since late 2007.
The most significant incident happened in May 2010, when a six-boat flotilla was intercepted by the Israeli navy around 90 miles from Gaza. Nine people were killed after Israeli commandos opened fire on activists, having boarded the flagship vessel, the Mavi Marmara, Israel claims the activists began attacking the soldiers first. Neither account has been confirmed.
There were additional, major attempts by activists in July 2011, June 2015 and August 2018. The vessels were all boarded without incident by Israeli forces. Like the Madleen, several were taken to the Israeli port of Ashdod.
Several smaller efforts were also intercepted by Israel, largely in the two years between 2009 and 2011.
In March 2011, the Israelis intercepted a freighter called the Victoria in the Mediterranean with 50 tonnes of concealed weapons allegedly bound for Gaza.
Last month, two drones hit another vessel destined for Gaza while it was off the coast of Malta. It was run by the same organisation that manages the Madleen, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. The FFC claimed those drones were Israeli. Israel declined to comment.
Watch | Israel reveals tunnel under Gaza hospital 'body of Hamas military chief was found'
21:44
,
Jabed Ahmed
An 18-year blockade
21:14
,
Jabed Ahmed
Israel and Egypt have imposed varying degrees of a blockade on Gaza since Hamas seized power from rival Palestinian forces in 2007.
Israel says the blockade is needed to prevent Hamas from importing arms, while critics say it amounts to collective punishment of Gaza's Palestinian population.
Israel sealed off Gaza from all aid in the early days of the war ignited by the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, but later relented under US pressure.
In early March, shortly before Israel ended a ceasefire with Hamas, the country again blocked all imports, including food, fuel and medicine.
Trump: Thunberg needs anger management classses
20:43
,
Jabed Ahmed
US president Donald Trump has said he thinks activist Greta Thunberg is a “strange person”.
Speaking to reporters in the White House, he said: "Well, she's a strange person. She's a young, angry person. I don't know if it's real anger. It's hard to believe, actually, but I saw what happened. She's certainly different...anger management. I think she has to go to anger management class. That's my primary recommendation for her.”
Pictured | Madleen enters port under escort of Israeli naval forces
20:42
,
Jabed Ahmed
20:39
,
Jabed Ahmed
Adalah, a legal rights group representing the activists, has demanded access to the Madleen passengers before they are deported.
In an update the group said: “Adalah just received confirmation (9 June at 10 PM Jerusalem time) that all volunteers are currently being held at Ashdod Port, where they are undergoing processing before being handed over to immigration authorities.
“Unless they agree to leave immediately, they will be transferred to the detention facility in Ramleh. While authorities have indicated that those who consent to deportation may be allowed to fly out from Tel Aviv tonight, it’s unclear what conditions—such as signing documents or waiving rights—may be imposed.
“Adalah will be demanding access to the volunteers before any transfer or departure is carried out.”
Madleen reaches port, Israel confirms
20:15
,
Jabed Ahmed
The Gaza-bound aid boat Madleen has arrived at an Israeli port, according to Israel’s Foreign Ministry.
In a post on X, the ministry said the passengers of the boat are currently undergoing medical examinations.
It has also released images of two people, including a picture of activist Greta Thunberg.
Was Israel legally allowed to sieze the Madleen?
19:58
,
Jabed Ahmed
Israeli naval forces, far from the country’s shores, intercepted and seized a Gaza-bound ship carrying international activists in an early morning raid.
The operation has sparked accusations that Israel’s actions, apparently in the high seas, were a breach of international law.
Israel says the latest ship planned to violate its blockade on Gaza and says it acted in accordance with international law.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which organized the latest ship, says the Madleen was intercepted in international waters 124 miles off the coast of Gaza, a claim that could not be independently verified. Israeli authorities have not disclosed the location where the ship was halted.
Robbie Sabel, an international law expert and former legal adviser to the Israeli Foreign Ministry, said the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea stipulates that a state only has jurisdiction up to 12 nautical miles from its shores.
In general, states don’t have the right to seize ships in international waters, but there are exceptions, including during armed conflict, Mr Sabel added.
Convoy sets off for Gaza from North Africa to protest Israel's blockade
19:29
,
Jabed Ahmed
A convoy of buses and private cars have departed from Tunisia to Gaza as part of efforts to spotlight Israel's blockade on humanitarian aid to the territory.
The overland effort — organized independently but moved up to coincide with the flotilla — is made up of activists, lawyers and medical professionals from North Africa.
It plans to traverse Tunisia, Libya and Egypt before reaching Rafah, the border crossing with Egypt that has remained largely closed since Israel’s military took control of the Gaza side in May 2024.
The Tunisian civil society groups behind the convoy said their aim is to demand “the immediate lifting of the unjust siege on the strip.”
They said that Arab governments haven’t pushed enough to end the 20-month war between Israel and Hamas.
"This convoy speaks directly to our people in Gaza and says, ‘You are not alone. We share your pain and suffering,’" Yahia Sarri, one of the convoy's Algerian organizers, wrote on social media.
The North African activists do not expect their convoy to be allowed into Gaza. Regardless, it provides “a message of challenge and will,” said Saher al-Masri, a Tunis-based Palestinian activist.
Watch | Israeli government blasts Greta Thunberg and her ‘selfie yacht’ for ‘feeding her ego’
18:58
,
Jabed Ahmed
Madleen reaches Israeli port
18:42
,
Jabed Ahmed
Gaza-bound British-flagged yacht "Madleen" is approaching Ashdod port in Israel.
Police stand off with protesters outside foreign office
18:28
,
Jabed Ahmed
Why was the Madleen sailing to Gaza?
17:58
,
Jabed Ahmed
The 12-person Madleen set sail for Gaza eight days ago from the port of Catania in Sicily.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), responsible for the boat, said the trip aimed “to break Israel’s more than 17-year illegal and inhumane blockade of the Gaza Strip”.
The ship’s location was being monitored live by Forensic Architecture using a Garmin live tracker on board before that tracker was switched off when Israel intercepted the vessel.
Speaking aboard the Madleen last week, Ms Thunberg told Middle East Eye: “We have promised ourselves and we have promised the Palestinian people to do everything we can.
“When our governments are failing us … then it falls on us to step up and be the adults in the room.
“We are just human beings, very concerned about what’s happening, and do not accept what is going on.”
MP writes to foreign office to urge action over Madleen
17:44
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Jabed Ahmed
Nadia Whittome, Labour MP for Nottingham East, has written to foreign secretary David Lammy, urging him to take action over the Madleen ship.
Ms Whittome wrote in the letter: “I write regarding the Madleen aid flotilla, a UK-flagged vessel, which has been seized by Israel.
“Our government must act now to ensure the safety of all on board, and ensure that vital humanitarian aid reaches the people of Gaza without delay.
“I am gravely concerned for the welfare of those on board the Madleen in light of Israel's previous actions in seizing aid ships.
“In 2010, 10 people were killed, while 30 more were injured, after Israeli forces opened fire on a vessel they had seized, in what the UNHCR described as an 'unacceptable level of brutality'.
“The interception of theMadleen represents yet another flagrant violation of international law. I also urge you to bring all possible political pressure to ensure that Israel no longer uses aid as a weapon.”
Trump expected to speak with Israel's Netanyahu, White House officials say
17:27
,
Jabed Ahmed
US President Donald Trump plans to speak with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today, two White House officials have said.
The call comes as Trump has been trying to accelerate aid into Gaza and to persuade Iran to give up its nuclear program.
Trump has occasionally expressed frustration with Netanyahu. Last week, he said he had warned Netanyahu not to take actions that could disrupt nuclear talks with Iran.
"I told him this would be inappropriate to do right now because we're very close to a solution now," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. "That could change at any moment."
Hundreds protest outside foreign office
17:16
,
Jabed Ahmed
Hundreds of people are protesting outside the UK foreign office in central London, demanding safe passage for the Madleen ship.
Action happening NOW outside the UK Foreign office demanding a safe passage for the Madleen ship sailing in international waters under the British flag with carrying vital food baby formula, medical supplies ✊️Israel must stop the genocide and stop starving Gaza! pic.twitter.com/q83qGjy8eP
— Tipping Point UK @tippingpointuk.bsky.social (@TippingPointorg) June 9, 2025
An 18-year blockade
16:58
,
Jabed Ahmed
Israel and Egypt have imposed varying degrees of a blockade on Gaza since Hamas seized power from rival Palestinian forces in 2007.
Israel says the blockade is needed to prevent Hamas from importing arms, while critics say it amounts to collective punishment of Gaza's Palestinian population.
Israel sealed off Gaza from all aid in the early days of the war ignited by the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, but later relented under US pressure.
In early March, shortly before Israel ended a ceasefire with Hamas, the country again blocked all imports, including food, fuel and medicine.
Watch: Israeli official claims Madleen is 'selfie yacht'
16:26
,
Daniel Keane
Israeli government spokesman David Mencer gave a press conference earlier in which he claimed the Madleen was a “selfie yacht”.
I was deeply disheartened by Israel’s interception of the Madleen, says the boat’s namesake
15:55
,
Tom Watling
A Palestinian woman who the Madleen vessel that was intercepted by Israeli forces is named after says she is “deeply disheartened” by its capture.
Madleen Kulab, believed to be Gaza’s only female fisherman, told Al Jazeera: “I was deeply disheartened. I strongly anticipated this scenario, but I was truly hoping for a miracle that somehow the ship would break the blockade and reach Gaza.”
Madleen crew have not arrived in Israel, says rights group
15:38
,
Tom Watling
A rights group representing the 12 activists detained by Israel aboard the Madleen say they have not arrived in Israel and are still at sea.
The Madleen was intercepted by Israeli forces off the coast of Egypt early this morning. It has been reported that the boat is being taken to the port of Ashdod.
The group said Israel’s Detention Review Tribunal has confirmed the activists are not currently in its custody. They added that it appears the authorities intend to deport the individuals upon arrival.
Any proceedings are likely to take place tomorrow, they added, as Monday is not a scheduled hearing day at the Tribunal.
“Israel has thus far failed to provide sufficient information as to their whereabouts and their legal status,” the group said. “Israel must provide such information immediately and release the unlawfully detained volunteers.”
Ireland praises Madleen trip as ‘powerful symbol’ to end Israel’s blockade of Gaza
15:13
,
Tom Watling
Ireland’s foreign minister has issued praise to the 12-person crew of the Madleen following their arrest by Israeli forces.
Simon Harris described the crew’s attempt to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza as a “powerful symbol” to tackle the absence of aid provisions to the enclave.
“The Madleen was an effort to get food and medicine to the starving people of Gaza; an unarmed civilian effort in the midst of devastation and catastrophic humanitarian conditions,” Harris said in a statement.
“What the flotilla has highlighted is the urgent need for humanitarian aid to get into Gaza,” he added.
He described the seizure of the ship in the early hours of Monday off the coast of Egypt as another attempt by Israel to prevent aid from entering Gaza.
Madleen on route to Israeli port, says foreign ministry
14:42
,
Tom Watling
Israel’s foreign ministry has claimed the Madleen is “continuing its journey toward an Israeli port”.
The 12-person vessel, originally bound for Gaza, was intercepted by Israeli forces around 3 am local time this morning off the coast of Egypt.
The ministry added: “Upon arrival, arrangements will be made for their return to their respective home countries.”
It is believed the group is headed to the port of Ashdod, where they will be temporarily detained in solitary confinement before being taken to the nearby Ben Gurion airport and sent home.
A military source told the Times of Israel that the boat would arrive in Ashdod in the coming hours.
The “selfie yacht” carrying Greta Thunberg and the other so-called “celebrities” is continuing its journey toward an Israeli port.
— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) June 9, 2025
Upon arrival, arrangements will be made for their return to their respective home countries. pic.twitter.com/iK1tTKHizA
Greta Thunberg issues pre-recorded SOS message after Israeli interception
14:13
,
Tom Watling
Gaza-bound aid boat carrying Greta Thunberg intercepted as Israel says ‘show is over’
13:47
,
Tom Watling
Israeli forces have taken control of a charity vessel carrying climate activist Greta Thunberg and 11 others who attempted to break a naval blockade of the Gaza Strip.
The vessel, a British-flagged yacht named Madleen and operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), had planned to deliver a symbolic amount of aid to Gaza on Monday, including baby formula and rice, and draw international attention to the humanitarian crisis.
Madleen activists to be put in separate cells in prison, says far-right security minister
13:14
,
Tom Watling
Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has instructed prison officials to quietly escort the 12 activists on board the Madleen into detention and put them into separate cells, local media is reporting.
Ben-Gvir reportedly told officials to place the activists in cells with no radio or television. They are to be transported to Givon Prison in Ramla from the port of Ashdod in vehicles with tinted windows, to minimise media attention, according to Israeli outlet Israel Hayom.
Madleen crew say Israeli forces sprayed the ship with white substance
12:51
,
Tom Watling
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) says Israeli forces fired a “white paint-like substance” at the Madleen when it intercepted the vessel earlier today.
“Quadcopters are surrounding the ship, spraying it with a white paint-like substance. Communications are jammed, and disturbing sounds are being played over the radio,” the FFC said.
Activist Yasmin Acar, who was on the boat at the time, showed a white substance on the deck during a livestream of the event, saying it had been dropped on the vessel. She was later heard saying it was affecting her eyes.
How many times have sailors tried to break Israel’s naval blockade on Gaza?
12:33
,
Tom Watling
There have been at least eleven occasions when Israel has intercepted activists or pro-Palestinian militants attempting to break its blockade on Gaza, we can report.
Israel’s blockade on Gaza has been in place since late 2007.
The most significant incident happened in May 2010, when a six-boat flotilla was intercepted by the Israeli navy around 90 miles from Gaza. Nine people were killed after Israeli commandos opened fire on activists, having boarded the flagship vessel, the Mavi Marmara, Israel claims the activists began attacking the soldiers first. Neither account has been confirmed.
There were additional, major attempts by activists in July 2011, June 2015 and August 2018. The vessels were all boarded without incident by Israeli forces. Like the Madleen, several were taken to the Israeli port of Ashdod.
Several smaller efforts were also intercepted by Israel, largely in the two years between 2009 and 2011.
In March 2011, the Israelis intercepted a freighter called the Victoria in the Mediterranean with 50 tonnes of concealed weapons allegedly bound for Gaza.
Last month, two drones hit another vessel destined for Gaza while it was off the coast of Malta. It was run by the same organisation that manages the Madleen, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. The FFC claimed those drones were Israeli. Israel declined to comment.
Tracking the Madleen over its eight-day journey from Sicily
12:16
,
Tom Watling
As we bring you reports that the UK-flagged Madleen is being towed by Israel to the port of Ashdod, after attempting to reach Gaza with a small amount of humanitarian aid, we remind you that the vessel has suffered several incidents on its eight day journey.
Two days after it left the Sicilian port of Catania last Sunday, passengers on board the Madleen reported drones overhead. The Greek defence ministry confirmed that Israeli-built drones had circled over the boat, while they were off the coast of Crete, though Israel did not claim responsibility.
Two days later, the Madleen rescued four Sudanese migrants who had attempted to make it across the Mediterranean. The Madleen detoured to pick them up after encountering a sinking inflatable dinghy carrying up to 30 people.
They issued a mayday to the nearby Coast Guard but received no response.
When the Libyan Coast Guard arrived, which Madleen owners the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) say are notoriously cruel to migrants, four passengers jumped off the sinking dinghy and made their way onto the Madleen.
It is unclear whether those four asylum seekers remained on the boat when it was intercepted by Israel.
In pictures: Madleen sets sail from Sicily
12:00
The Madleen set sail from the Sicilian port of Catania eight days ago.
Below, you can see some pictures from that day.
In pictures: Israeli activists face off in Ashdod
11:39
,
Tom Watling
Israeli activists in support of - and opposition to - the 12 pro-Palestinian activists on board the Madleen have been pictured facing off to one another near the port of Ashdod, where the vessel is due to arrive shortly.
France: We have asked Israel to facilitate rapid return of six French activists on board Madleen
11:23
France has requested permission from Israel to “facilitate the rapid return” of six French nationals aboard the Gaza-bound Madleen, which was intercepted in international waters by Israel earlier this morning.
The Madleen, carrying 12 crew members, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and French politician Rima Hassan, is currently being towed to the Israeli port of Ashdod, where they will be forced to watch videos of Hamas’ October 7 attacks.
They will later be transferred to Ben Gurion Airport and flown back to their respective countries, Israeli officials have said.
French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot said they had requested “to be able to exercise consular protection” over the six activists and to visit them as soon as they arrived in Ashdod.
He added that Paris would like “to ascertain [the activists’ situation and facilitate their rapid return to France”.
Israeli Navy practised different scenarios to deal with Madleen
11:13
,
Tom Watling
The Israeli navy spent days preparing for different means of dealing with the Gaza-bound Madleen as it neared the enclave, it has been reported.
Israeli broadcaster N12 writes that the 13th fleet, responsible for intercepting the UK-flagged Madleen, spent days preparing for the flotilla’s arrival, but it was agreed that “extra caution” was necessary following the involvement of the British and the French.
Both countries said they were closely monitoring the ship after it was revealed that the vessel was UK-flagged and that half the 12-person crew were French.
Israel: Masses of ships would have sailed to Gaza if we hadn’t stopped the Madleen
11:05
,
Tom Watling
Israel’s public broadcaster N12 is quoting a senior Israeli official as saying that they had to stop the Madleen from reaching Gaza because “masses” of ships would have made the same journey if it had not been stopped.
“We are surrounding Gaza from all sides with the aim of strangling Hamas, and not allowing it to receive any assistance from a party not under Israeli supervision,” the official said.
“If we allow one flotilla to enter, masses will follow, and this provocation will create a wave of flotillas hostile to Israel. We will not allow this.”
Spanish deputy PM demands “forceful response” from EU to Israeli interception of Madleen
11:00
,
Tom Watling
One of Spain’s deputy prime ministers had demanded that the European Union respond to the Israeli interception of the Gaza-bound vessel, the Madleen.
Yolanda Diaz, Spain’s labour minister and deputy PM, wrote on BlueSky: “I strongly condemn the seizure of the Madleen boat, which was carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza. This violation of international law demands a clear and forceful response from the EU.
“Our full solidarity with the detained volunteers. We demand their immediate release.”
Amnesty: Israel’s interception of the Gaza-bound Madleen violates international law
10:44
,
Tom Watling
The secretary general of Amnesty, Agnes Callamard, has accused Israel of violating international law by intercepting the Gaza-bound Madleen vessel.
The Madleen had been attempting to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza, in place since 2007, while carrying a symbolic amount of aid.
Israel intercepted the boat outside of their own territorial waters. They are now taking the vessel to the port of Ashdod, where the 12 crew members will be forced to watch videos of Hamas’ October 7 attacks.
“Israel’s interception of Madleen violates international law,” the former United Nations Special Rapporteur for extrajudicial killings wrote on X.
“As the occupying power (as recognised by the ICJ), Israel has a legal obligation to ensure civilians in Gaza have sufficient food and medicine. They should have let Madleen deliver its humanitarian supplies to Gaza.
“In line with its obligations as the occupying power, and the legally binding orders of the International Court of Justice to prevent genocide, Israel must immediately lift its illegal blockade of Gaza, facilitate the provision of humanitarian assistance throughout Gaza, and allow international fact-finding missions into Gaza.”
She added that Amnesty was calling on the United States to “do far more than they have done” to encourage aid to be let into Gaza.
#Madleen, launched by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), was seeking to bring humanitarian aid in an attempt to breach Israel’s illegal blockade of the occupied Gaza Strip. It was carrying unarmed civilians on a humanitarian mission.
— Agnes Callamard (@AgnesCallamard) June 9, 2025
Israel interception of Madleen violates… pic.twitter.com/h5QvMeYVqk
British MP calls for UK to protect Madleen
10:27
,
Tom Watling
British MP Apsana Begum has called on the UK to “defend” the UK-flagged Madleen after it was intercepted by Israel in international waters.
In a statement on X , the Poplar and Limehouse wrote: “The Madleen is a civilian ship trying to deliver aid to the people of Gaza.
“Israel should remember that the world is watching & refrain from acts of hostility.
“The UK Government must remember its own obligations under international law & defend the ship’s right to free passage.”
The Madleen is a civilian ship trying to deliver aid to the people of Gaza.
— Apsana Begum MP (@ApsanaBegumMP) June 8, 2025
Israel should remember that the world is watching & refrain from acts of hostility.
The UK Government must remember its own obligations under international law & defend the ship’s right to free passage.
Spain summons Israeli diplomat over interception of Madleen
10:10
,
Tom Watling
Spain has summoned Israel’s Charge d’Affaires to Madrid to a meeting today in protest at the seizing of the Madleen, Spanish publication El Pais is reporting.
One of the 12 crew aboard the Madleen, which is now being towed to the Israeli port of Ashdod, is Spaniard Sergio Toribio, a member of the marine conservation NGO, Sea Shepherd
“The foreign ministry is in contact with the Spaniard in question, with his family and with the Israeli foreign ministry, and is exercising consular protection with regard to our citizen,” foreign ministry sources told the paper.
A pre-recorded video of Toribio asking for help was posted earlier today.
SOS! the volunteers on 'Madleen' have been kidnapped by Israeli forces.
— Freedom Flotilla Coalition (@GazaFFlotilla) June 9, 2025
Sergio Toribio is a Spanish citizen.
Pressure the Spanish foreign ministries and help us keep them safe!
E: consular@maec.es
X @SpainMFA & @MAECgob @jmalbares
IG : @exteriores.maec
Bsky:… pic.twitter.com/1U8ATkrDnZ
The Madleen is a UK-shipped flag
09:56
,
Tom Watling
As the Madleen heads to the Israeli port of Ashdod, after being picked up by Israel’s military in the early hours of Monday, we remind you that the vessel is a UK-flagged ship.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), which manages the boat, announced earlier this week that the Madleen was sailing under a UK flag.
Israeli news outlets later reported that Israel had asked the UK government to stop the vessel on its quest to Gaza. The UK allegedly denied this request before asking Israel to ensure the vessel’s safe passage.
Israel to screen October 7 footage to Greta Thunberg and Gaza flotilla activists after aid boat seized
09:44
,
Tom Watling
The Israeli military will show footage of the 7 October attacks to Greta Thunberg and other activists onboard the Madleen aid flotilla, Israel’s defence minister has said.
The British-flagged boat was diverted to Israel early on Monday morning after being intercepted by Israeli forces, the country’s foreign ministry said, adding that all passengers onboard were safe and unharmed.
