2️⃣ *Israeli forces have intercepted a Gaza-bound aid boat* , preventing the activists on board -- including Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg -- from reaching the blockaded Palestinian territory. 🇵🇸 *The Madleen set sail from Italy on June 1 to raise awareness of food shortages in Gaza* , which the United Nations has called the _"hungriest place on Earth"_ . After 21 months of war, the UN warns the entire population is at risk of famine. 🇮🇱 At around 0102 GMT, Israeli forces _"forcibly intercepted"_ the *vessel in international waters as it was approaching Gaza* , the Freedom Flotilla Coalition said. 🗣️ *Israel's foreign ministry* wrote on social media, _"all the passengers of the 'selfie yacht' are safe and unharmed,"_ adding that it *expected the activists to return to their home countries* .