Gaza: Tensions escalated aboard the UK-flagged sailboat Madleen early Sunday as it approached the Gaza coast carrying humanitarian aid, only to be intercepted by Israeli naval forces. The 18-meter vessel, part of a mission by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), was halted in international waters, less than 100 nautical miles from Gaza. Surrounded by quadcopters, the vessel was intercepted around 3 a.m. local time, leading to the detention of all 12 people onboard and the boat's towing to Israel's Ashdod Port.
According to Anadolu Agency, the Madleen was carrying several hundred kilograms of flour, rice, baby formula, and medical supplies intended for the blockaded Gaza Strip, where more than 55,000 people have been killed since October 2023, as per local authorities. This interception is a continuation of Israeli actions against aid missions to Gaza, reminiscent of the deadly 2010 raid on the Turkish ship Mavi Marmara. Another FFC vessel was bombed by drones in international waters off Malta just weeks before, though no serious injuries were reported.
The Madleen set sail on June 1 from San Giovanni Li Cuti Port in Catania, Sicily. Notable passengers included Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and French-Palestinian European Parliament member Rima Hassan. Other activists hailed from various countries, including Germany, France, Brazil, Turkey, Spain, the Netherlands, and Qatar, represented by journalist Omar Faiad from Al Jazeera Mubasher.
Israel's history of intercepting aid missions dates back over a decade. In 2009, the Israeli navy seized the Spirit of Humanity, a vessel from the Free Gaza Movement, 20 nautical miles off the Gaza coast. The 2010 storming of the Mavi Marmara resulted in the deaths of 10 activists, straining Turkey-Israel relations significantly. Subsequent interceptions include the Canadian Tahrir and Irish MV Saoirse in 2011, and the Swedish vessel Marianne in 2015, all part of efforts to break the blockade.
In 2018, the vessels Al-Awda and Freedom were seized during another Freedom Flotilla mission, with activists reporting mistreatment. Most recently, in May 2025, the Conscience was struck by drones off Malta, leading to accusations against Israel for violating international law.
The ongoing blockade and interception of humanitarian missions continue to draw international attention and criticism, with calls for accountability and an end to the blockade on Gaza.