Israeli Forces Seize Freedom Flotilla Ship “Maddeline” En Route to Gaza, Detain International Activists
Human rights advocates, including Greta Thunberg and EU lawmaker Rima Hassan, were aboard a humanitarian ship intercepted by Israel in international waters while attempting to break the Gaza blockade.
Watan-The Freedom Flotilla Coalition announced that the Israeli military seized the international activists aboard the ship Maddeline after storming it early Monday during its mission to break the blockade on Gaza.
According to a statement on the coalition’s Telegram channel, contact was lost with the vessel after Israeli forces boarded it, indicating they had taken full control. On Sunday night, the ship had already been intercepted by five Israeli navy boats as it neared Gaza’s territorial waters.
Alarm sirens reportedly sounded on the Maddeline, prompting the crew to activate the emergency bell and distribute life jackets. Footage shared by European Parliament member Rima Hassan, who was aboard the ship, showed the sirens going off. She captioned the moment: “They are here.”
Israel Hayom later reported that the Israeli army had taken control of the ship and detained 12 activists, preparing for their deportation.
An online correspondent accompanying the flotilla said that around 11:18 p.m. UK time, five Israeli speedboats began encircling the ship. The captain instructed passengers to remain calm, seated, and keep their passports and life vests ready. The crew engaged with Israeli soldiers, stating their mission was peaceful and strictly humanitarian.
ENGLISH BELOW
✊ Plus de 200 députés de toute l’Europe s’unissent pour adresser cette lettre ouverte aux autorités israéliennes, leur demandant de :
⁃ Garantir la sécurité de toutes les personnes à bord du Madleen ;
⁃ Permettre au navire un passage sûr et sans entrave vers… pic.twitter.com/HiqioRPLxU— Rima Hassan (@RimaHas) June 7, 2025
UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese confirmed the Israeli naval presence around the ship in a post on X.
Activist Tiago Ávila from Brazil, onboard the Maddeline, issued an SOS via Instagram:“We are under attack. We need your support. The occupation army is here. Please raise the alarm. We are surrounded. Yes, this is an interception. This is a war crime happening now.”
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition later confirmed communication with the ship had been cut off. They reported jamming of the vessel’s communication systems, and drones releasing an irritating white substance, a violation of international law endangering civilians.
Israeli media revealed that Navy Commando Unit 13 was ordered to intercept the ship overnight, amid Israeli fears that documentation of force could harm its global image.
I’m leading a letter to the Trump Administration demanding safe passage for the @GazaFFlotilla to deliver humanitarian aid and food to Gaza. Any interception or attack on this crew is a violation of international law. pic.twitter.com/2wMyMpBveJ
— Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (@RepRashida) June 6, 2025
Activist Mahmoud Al-Shabrawi stated that tensions in Gaza remain high with ongoing blockade, warning of Israel’s intent to prevent the ship’s arrival. He emphasized that the Maddeline’s humanitarian mission spotlights the suffering of over 2 million Gazans and breaks international silence on a war that has claimed over 55,000 lives in under two years.
In Washington, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib and ten progressive lawmakers called on the Biden administration to ensure the safety of the Maddeline and its civilian passengers carrying essential aid.
In their letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, they warned:“We urge you to do everything possible to guarantee the safety of the ship and ensure the success of its peaceful mission.”
Lawmakers referenced past deadly incidents such as the 2010 Mavi Marmara raid, where Israeli forces killed nine activists, and the 2024 drone strike on the ship Al-Dhamir off Malta.
The ship carries vital supplies like rice, flour, medicine, and infant formula, amid widespread famine and over 600 days of bombardment in Gaza.
Among the passengers were Greta Thunberg and MEP Rima Hassan. Thunberg’s presence drew threats from far-right figures including Senator Lindsey Graham, who wrote on social media:“Hope Greta and her friends can swim!”
— Rima Hassan (@RimaHas) June 8, 2025
Tlaib and others condemned these threats as “dangerous and unacceptable,” particularly coming from elected officials.
Irish Senator Lynn Boylan said:“The world must focus on the Freedom Flotilla. These activists are risking their lives to expose Israeli brutality in Gaza.”
More than 200 European MPs signed a letter demanding Israel allow the safe passage of the Maddeline and ensure the delivery of its humanitarian aid, calling for an end to the blockade.
In a statement to AFP, German human rights activist Yasmin Akar confirmed the ship was now near the Egyptian coast. Rima Hassan also urged governments to guarantee the flotilla’s safe passage.
