Israel Deploys 200 Soldiers to Block Gaza-Bound “Maddeline” Aid Ship
With 190 miles left to Gaza, the humanitarian vessel faces military threats while global activists urge governments to protect the mission and break Israel’s siege on the Strip.
Watan-Activists aboard the Freedom Flotilla ship “Maddeline” say that Israeli occupation forces have mobilized more than 200 soldiers to intercept the vessel. The activists are calling on global leaders to secure a “safe passage” for the ship, which aims to break the years-long blockade on the Gaza Strip.
Brazilian activist Thiago Ávila said in an Instagram video:“The sun has risen, and we are just 190 miles from Gaza to break the blockade and create a humanitarian sea corridor for the Palestinian people.”
He added:“Morale is high aboard Maddeline despite Israeli threats. Israeli media reports indicate the deployment of three special forces units—S13, S6, and S3—each with 80 commandos, alongside naval and air support, including helicopters. These are the same units used in war crimes. The S13 unit was responsible for killing 10 participants in the Gaza Freedom Flotilla 15 years ago aboard the Mavi Marmara.”
Ávila called on supporters to act:“We have a chance to stop this assault through mobilization. Pressure your governments to demand safe passage, provide naval support, cut ties with Israel, and uphold the international treaties they’ve signed. This is the greatest battle in our history. Aboard our small vessel, our nonviolent humanitarian mission continues!”
In comments to Al-Quds Al-Arabi earlier, Ávila said that Maddeline seeks to correct the course of history and achieve “social justice” in Palestine:
“Throughout human history, every empire that seemed invincible eventually fell. The ideologies built on hatred came to an end.”
The vessel is expected to reach Palestinian territorial waters on Sunday. It carries 10 activists and 2 journalists, along with some food supplies. Though limited in cargo, its symbolic weight as a challenge to Israel’s blockade is immense.
French activists aboard the ship sent a video message to President Emmanuel Macron, shared by MEP Rima Hassan on X, stating:“Mr. President, our Freedom Flotilla crew will be within 48 hours of the Palestinian coast, including six French citizens speaking to you now. Our mission is legal, political, and deeply peaceful.”
They reminded that 10 UN Special Rapporteurs previously called for a safe passage for the Flotilla, affirming two key points:
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Palestinians in Gaza have the right to receive humanitarian aid by sea.
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The waters Israel claims to control legally belong to Palestine.
The ship carries prominent French figures, including European Parliament member Rima Hassan, physician Baptiste André, and activists Pascal Mauréras and Riva Viard.
Their message to Macron ended with a stark warning:“Act now because the world is watching. If we’re attacked by the most aggressive and immoral military—led by a war criminal—a part of humanity will sink along with our ship. You have 36 hours to act.”
Meanwhile, Palestinian activist Mahmoud Al-Shabrawi shared a video from Gaza’s coast:“Greetings from Gaza Port. We’re waiting for the Maddeline—the ship of freedom and solidarity. To all the free people of the world: come, sail to Gaza. Break the siege. Stop the genocide. Gaza is bleeding, but we remain steadfast. To all those on Maddeline: we are waiting. Free Gaza now.”
The Maddeline also carried out another humanitarian act during its voyage, rescuing four Sudanese migrants after receiving a distress call from their sinking boat off the Libyan coast
