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Israel To Seize ‘Madleen’ Aid Ship En Route To Gaza, May Arrest Activists Onboard: Report

Named after Madleen Kulab, Gaza’s first fisherwoman, the ship is transporting emergency aid: baby food, medical kits, water filters, feminine hygiene products, and prosthetics for children.

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Israel To Seize ‘Madleen’ Aid Ship En Route To Gaza, May Arrest Activists Onboard: Report

Israel To Seize ‘Madleen’ Aid Ship En Route To Gaza, May Arrest Activists Onboard: Report (Image: X/ademozkose)

The Israeli army has reportedly announced plans to intercept the ‘Madleen,’ a humanitarian ship attempting to reach Gaza, and transfer it to the port of Ashdod. The Israeli Broadcasting Authority stated that authorities intend to detain the 12 international activists on board, but as of now, no arrests have been made, reported Al-Jarmaq News.

Backed by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), a global network advocating for Palestinian rights, the ship set sail from Catania, Italy, on June 1, 2025. The vessel is currently en route to Palestinian territorial waters and is expected to reach the coast of Gaza within hours.

Also, read| Madleen Culab: The Gaza Woman Who Inspired The Flotilla Vessel

Named after Madleen Kulab, Gaza’s first fisherwoman, the ship is transporting emergency aid: baby food, medical kits, water filters, feminine hygiene products, and prosthetics for children—items desperately needed as Gaza’s humanitarian crisis deepens.

The crew includes figures from across the globe:

  • Greta Thunberg, Swedish climate activist

  • Rima Hassan, French-Palestinian MEP

  • Omar Faiad, French-Algerian journalist with Al Jazeera

  • Thiago Ávila, Brazilian activist

  • Sergio Toribio, Spanish peace advocate

All are unarmed civilians. The mission, the FFC says, is “nonviolent, humanitarian, and legal under international law.”


This is not the first time a flotilla has attempted to breach the Gaza blockade. In 2010, Israeli commandos boarded the Mavi Marmara, killing nine activists and triggering a diplomatic crisis. More recently, on May 2, 2025, the Conscience, another FFC ship, was allegedly attacked by Israeli drones near Malta. Israel has not responded to the accusations.

Read also: ‘No Graduation This Year In Gaza’: Harvard Law Grads Show Solidarity Despite Trump’s Crackdown

Subsequent attempts, including one in 2015, also ended with Israeli navy interceptions and arrests, but each effort has kept the issue of Gaza’s isolation in the global spotlight.

The Madleen’s journey, already marked by drone sightings and warnings, has become a high-stakes standoff. While no military action has yet occurred, the looming threat of seizure hangs over the mission.

As of Saturday morning, the Madleen remains on course, sailing southeast through the Mediterranean. Its real-time location is being broadcast live, a security measure and a signal to the world. After taking a brief detour to respond to a distress call on Thursday, the ship resumed its course.

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