International Campaign to Break Gaza Blockade
On June 1, 2025, the UK-flagged aid vessel Madleen, operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), departed from Catania, Sicily, carrying symbolic humanitarian aid including baby formula, rice, flour, medical kits, crutches, diapers, water desalination units, and prosthetics—meant to protest the Israeli naval blockade of Gaza .
Aboard were 12 passengers, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, French MEP Rima Hassan, Al Jazeera journalist Omar Faiad, and activists of various nationalities .
Journey and Drone Surveillance
By June 3, the flotilla was roughly 600 km from Sicily, traversing international waters with a Hellenic Coastguard Heron drone overhead, conducting surveillance. The voyage aimed to reach Gaza on June 7, highlighting the worst humanitarian crisis in years .
Interception by Israeli Forces
In the early hours of June 9, Israeli naval commandos, supported by drones, intercepted and boarded the vessel approximately 185 km from Gaza—in international waters. They sprayed a white irritant, ordered occupants to discard phones, and towed the Madleen to Ashdod port.
All 12 passengers surrendered; equipment was confiscated, but activists were unharmed during boarding
Detention, Deportation & Legal Status
In Ashdod, the detainees underwent medical checks and were taken to Ben Gurion Airport. Israel offered deportation; four—including Thunberg, Andrade, Faiad, and Toribio—agreed and were expelled on June 10. The remaining eight refused, opting instead to pursue legal challenges against deportation via Israeli courts
Thunberg, flown to Sweden via France, described the operation as a kidnapping in international waters, and condemned the interception as a violation of maritime law
Israel labelled the flotilla a “selfie yacht” orchestrated by celebrities and deemed the humanitarian cargo minimal, pledging to deliver the seized aid through official channels
Humanitarian and Diplomatic Responses
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Hamas condemned the interception as “state terrorism” and a breach of international law, demanding the release of detainees
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Amnesty International echoed this stance, calling Israel’s actions illegal .
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UN experts urged safe passage for the flotilla
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Several governments, including Iran and Turkey, denounced the action as “piracy”
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France sought consular access for its citizens, while the UK expressed concern over adherence to international humanitarian laws .
Broader Context & Implications
The Madleen interception echoes previous flotilla incidents, notably 2010's Mavi Marmara, raising urgent questions on the legality of maritime enforcement and blockade policies
The mission underscores international frustration with Gaza’s humanitarian crisis—over half a million face starvation, with aid deliveries severely restricted and thousands of civilian casualties t