Jerusalem: Israeli soldiers have detained activists onboard the Gaza-bound aid ship Madleen, as reported by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition late Sunday. The international NGO, which organized the mission, announced on Telegram, "SOS! The volunteers on 'Madleen' have been kidnapped by Israeli forces."
According to Anadolu Agency, UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, who maintained phone contact with the ship's captain, stated, "At the time the boat was intercepted, no one is wounded - the captain asked me to record." She noted hearing Israeli soldiers speaking in the background before the call was abruptly disconnected. Albanese added, "I lost connection with the captain as he was telling me that another boat is approaching."
Earlier, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition reported that Israeli naval forces boarded the Madleen in international waters, resulting in a loss of communication with the vessel. Live footage previously showed Israeli boats encircling the ship, with soldiers commanding the activists onboard to raise their hands.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry stated that the navy instructed the Madleen to change course due to its approach toward what it described as a "restricted area." The Madleen, an 18-meter sailing boat, embarked on its mission to Gaza on June 1 from the Port of San Giovanni Li Cuti in Catania, Sicily, Italy, as part of the latest initiative by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition to break the blockade on Gaza and deliver aid.
The Madleen carries 12 individuals, including 11 activists and one journalist. Among the passengers are Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, French-Palestinian Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan, Yasemin Acar from Germany, Baptiste Andre, Pascal Maurieras, Yanis Mhamdi, and Reva Viard from France; Thiago Avila from Brazil, Suayb Ordu from Trkiye, Sergio Toribio from Spain, Marco van Rennes from the Netherlands, and Omar Faiad, a journalist with Al Jazeera Mubasher, also from France.
The ship is transporting essential supplies for the people of Gaza, including baby formula, flour, rice, diapers, women's sanitary products, water desalination kits, medical supplies, crutches, and children's prosthetics, as detailed by its organizers.