- The Madleen ship, launched by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, is en route to Gaza carrying humanitarian aid as the Palestinian enclave faces massive food shortages because of Israel’s months-long total blockade.
- Climate activist Greta Thunberg is among the 12 activists on board the vessel to break Israel’s siege of the Strip since March 2. Gaza has already been under Israel’s land, sea and air blockade since 2007.
- The Madleen departed Catania, Sicily, on June 1, just one month after Israeli drones bombed another of its aid ships headed for Gaza. This is the latest effort to send aid into Gaza, where more than 54,000 people have been killed in Israeli bombardment.
- The 2,000km (1,250-mile) journey is expected to take seven days, provided there are no disruptions. The ship’s location is being monitored live by Forensic Architecture and using a Garmin live tracker on board.
- Israeli officials say the military will not allow the ship to reach Gaza.
Israeli MFA says Madleen being taken to Israel’s Ashdod port
Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that Israeli authorities intercepted the Madleen.
“The “selfie yacht” of the “celebrities” is safely making its way to the shores of Israel,” the ministry said in a post on X.
The post accused “Greta and others” of attempting “to stage a media provocation whose sole purpose was to gain publicity” claiming sufficient aid has reached Gaza in the past two weeks.
However Israeli forces have repeatedly fired on Palestinians seeking aid in Gaza after allowing some food to return to the strip following its longest ever total blockade.
Dozens of people have been killed while trying to reach aid distribution sites, including at least 13 Palestinians on Sunday alone.
Israel does not have authority over Gaza waters
A video obtained by Al Jazeera shows a uniformed officer telling the people on board the Madleen there are other means for delivering aid, before the ship was intercepted.
“If you wish to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, you’re able to do so through the port of Ashdod,” the uniformed officer says. “We have established channels and distribution centres.”
However UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese told Al Jazeera this is not accurate.
“Israel has no authority over Gaza. This is the thing. Israel needs to end the siege.”
“The people of Gaza need to be helped.”
‘I just want them to come home’: Suayb Ordu’s wife speaks to Al Jazeera
Sumeyra Mittelmeer, wife of Turkish activist Suayb Ordu and a fellow activist, spoke to Al Jazeera Mubasher after contact was lost with the Madleen.
“We were on the phone, and I heard the alarm,” she said. “They were preparing their life jackets… then the connection was severed, and I’ve been following Al Jazeera for updates.
“I just want them to come home safe. My dream was that they would reach Gaza, but even if they don’t, I am with them with all my being.”
She concluded by saying that such setbacks will not stop the work of activists who are working to help the Palestinian people, and that they will try again and again.
‘If you see this video, we are being intercepted and kidnapped’
Greta Thunberg has shared a pre-recorded video appealing for international help.
“My name is Greta Thunberg, and I am from Sweden,” Thunberg said in the video recorded on board the Madleen, before tonight’s events.
“If you see this video, we are being intercepted and kidnapped in international waters by the Israeli occupational forces, or forces that support Israel,” she said.
“I urge all my friends, family and comrades to put pressure on the Swedish government to release me and the others as soon as possible.”
Francesca Albanese says she lost contact with Madleen
As we’ve been reporting, the support crew for the Madleen say that communications on board the ship have been cut.
UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese also says she has lost contact with the ship.
“I heard the soldiers speaking while the captain was on the phone with me,” says Albanese.
“I lost connection with the captain as he was telling me that ‘another boat is approaching’.”
Madleen crew told to throw phones over board
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition has shared a video showing the crew in the moments before the ship was intercepted by Israeli forces.
The crew sat wearing life vests, with their hands in the air and threw their phones in the water.
‘Eyes were burning’ after white substance dropped on Madleen
Here’s more from Huwaida Arraf, the cofounder of the International Solidarity Movement, which is supporting the Gaza Freedom Flotilla.
“Just moments ago, communication seemed to be cut,” Arraf told Al Jazeera from Sicily.
“So, we have lost all contact with our colleagues on the Madleen.”
“Before that, we know that they had two drones hovering above them that dropped some kind of chemical on the vessel. We don’t know what that chemical was,” she said.
“Some people reported that their eyes were burning. Before that, they were also approached by vessels in a very threatening manner.”
So at least for the last hour, hour and a half, they have been threatened by Israeli forces.”
“The last we saw, were able to hear from them, they were surrounded… by Israeli naval commandos and it looked like the commandos were about to take over the vessel.”
Israel does not have authority over Gaza waters
A video obtained by Al Jazeera shows a uniformed officer telling the people on board the Madleen there are other means for delivering aid, before the ship was intercepted.
“If you wish to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, you’re able to do so through the port of Ashdod,” the uniformed officer says. “We have established channels and distribution centres.”
However UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese told Al Jazeera this is not accurate.
“Israel has no authority over Gaza. This is the thing. Israel needs to end the siege.”
“The people of Gaza need to be helped.”
‘Eyes were burning’ after white substance dropped on Madleen
Here’s more from Huwaida Arraf, the co-founder of the International Solidarity Movement, which is supporting the Gaza Freedom Flotilla.
“Just moments ago, communication seemed to be cut,” Arraf told Al Jazeera from Sicily.
“So, we have lost all contact with our colleagues on the Madleen.”
“Before that, we know that they had two drones hovering above them that dropped some kind of chemical on the vessel. We don’t know what that chemical was,” she said.
“Some people reported that their eyes were burning. Before that, they were also approached by vessels in a very threatening manner.”
So at least for the last hour, hour and a half, they have been threatened by Israeli forces.”
“The last we saw, were able to hear from them, they were surrounded… by Israeli naval commandos and it looked like the commandos were about to take over the vessel.”
Israeli forces intercept the Madleen, cut off comms
Contact has been lost with the Madleen after Israeli commandos intercepted it in international waters.
They demanded that everyone on board turn off their phones, and we have lost contact with Al Jazeera Mubasher journalist Omar Faiad as well as our live feed.
International Solidarity Movement co-founder, Huwaida Arraf, confirmed that they have also lost contact with the Madleen.
Drones drop white substance on Madleen as communications blocked
The Gaza Freedom Flotilla says that quadcopters have surrounded the Madleen and are “spraying it with a white paint-like substance”.
“Communications are jammed and disturbing sounds are being played over the radio,” the flotilla said in a post on Instagram.
Israeli MFA calls Madleen a ‘selfie yacht’ and ‘media gimmick’
Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs claimed the Madleen is not carrying a meaningful amount of aid to the Gaza Strip, dismissing it as a “media gimmick for publicity.”
In a lengthy post on X, the ministry described the Freedom Flotilla ship as a “selfie yacht” and a “celebrities yacht” that is carrying “less than a single truckload of aid”.
The ministry also claimed that humanitarian aid is already “delivered regularly and effectively via different channels and routes” in Gaza.
The ministry’s claims that aid is already being distributed in Gaza, come as at least 13 Palestinians were killed and more than 150 injured in the latest incidents of Israeli troops and American security contractors opening fire on aid seekers on Sunday.
The ministry warned that “the Gaza maritime zone remains an active conflict area” and claimed it is “closed to unauthorised vessels under a legal naval blockade, consistent with international law.”
Two drones hovering over the Madleen
The crew on board the Madleen is now taking cover as two drones are hovering overhead, says UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese.
“Two drones over the Madleen. They say they are quadcopters, the dangerous ones. TEAM IS TAKING COVER,” Albanese wrote on X.
‘Psychological warfare’ as two boats remain near the Madleen
Speaking to Al Jazeera from on board the Madleen, Yasemin Acar, says that four vessels approached the ship and that two remain nearby.
“We are very close to Gaza, approximately 100 miles away,” the German activist added.
“We sounded the alarm because we saw exactly four vessels approaching us all at the same time, two of which had blue lights,” she said.
“We had many lights suddenly surrounding us,” she added.
Acar says two of the boats came as close as 200 meters from the Madleen before leaving, while the other two vessels remain nearby.
“Two of them are still right in front of me, they just stopped,” she said.
“We have reason to believe that this is psychological warfare,” she added. “It’s just a way of intimidating us and a way to make us turn back and not tried to challenge the illegal blockade on Gaza.”
Francesca Albanese says Madleen ‘calm and safe now’
The UN Special Rapporteur on the the Occupied Palestinian Territories has said “all looks calm and safe now,” after alarms earlier sounded on board the Madleen.
“I just spoke again with the Flotilla, [including] its [Communication] Room in Catania”, Albanese said in a post on X.
“All looks calm and safe now. Speedboats watching; but the flotilla continues its sailing.”
“It will be a long night. And as they say and we say, ‘we are together’.”
Freedom Flotilla Coalition says surrounding boats have left
In an audio message on the coalition’s Telegram, activist Thiago Avila says the boats that surrounded the Madleen have now left.
“This, unfortunately, has been a very unlikely false alarm. We have been surrounded by many lights all at once and they were circling our boat. But in the end they kept going their own way,” he said.
“Could be IOF [Israel occupation forces] vessels, but in this case they just left and we don’t know,” he added. “We’re not sure.”
Israel navy ‘here right now, please sound the alarm’
A video posted by Palestinian journalist Motaz Azaiza shows Brazilian activist Thiago Avila wearing a life jacket.
“The IOF [Israel Occupation Forces] is here right now, please sound the alarm. We are being surrounded by their boats,” he said in the video.
“Yes this is an interception, a war crime is happening right now,” he said.
UN rights expert says Israeli speedboats surrounding Madleen
In a post on X, Francesca Albanese says she is in contact with the Madleen crew as they are now surrounded by vessels.
“They have just been reached by the Israel speedboats – 5 vessels circling the flotilla,” Albanese said.
“The captain is instructing the team to stay calm and seated, with their passports and life jackets on… For the time being they are just circled. I am with them, recording everything.”
Madleen crew says alarm sounded over possible interception
In a post on Telegram, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition has written: “Alarm has been sounded on the Madleen. Life jackets are on preparing for interception.”
It was not immediately clear if the vessel had been intercepted by Israeli forces.
We’ll bring you more shortly.
Irish official says ‘international community must be clear’
Simon Harris says the international community must be more vocal in calling for safe passage for the Madleen.
He called the mission “an incredible effort to get food and medicine to the starving people of Gaza”.
“It is an unarmed, civilian effort to do good in the midst of devastation and catastrophic humanitarian conditions,” he said on X.
“Any use of force against it would constitute a breach of international law. The international community must be clear.”
‘Dying, burning, starving’: Activist says aid effort can ‘break the blockade’
On board the aid vessel Madleen, Turkish activist Huseyin Suayb says while the humanitarian goods it carries for Gaza is symbolic, the main purpose of the mission is far more important.
He highlighted aid trucks have been held up at Gaza’s crossings for months by Israel.
“The people who need it are dying — burning, starving, and under bombing. Our goal is to end this blockade to allow the real aid waiting at the border to enter as soon as possible, to achieve a ceasefire, and to stop the bombings.”
Suayb became emotional when asked if he had a message for the besieged people of Gaza.
“We’re doing everything we can. I wish we could enter but we will likely be stopped. I am deeply sorry about this, but our entry is not what matters. Hopefully, this will serve as a means to break the blockade and stop the genocide.”
Freedom Flotilla’s Madleen crew expect Israeli intervention
Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz says he’s instructed the military to ensure a flotilla carrying aid and several activists does not reach Gaza.
Climate campaigner Greta Thunberg is among several people escorting aid onboard the Freedom Flotilla. It’s believed to be one day away from reaching Gaza’s coast. The group is aiming to break Israel’s siege on the Strip – a blockade activists say is illegal under international law.
Al Jazeera Mubasher’s Omar Faiad is on board the Madleen. He says they’re expecting Israel to intervene as they near Gaza.
Just ‘another war crime’ if Israel attacks aid vessel: Activist
Yasemin Acar, an activist aboard the Freedom Flotilla Coalition boat heading to Gaza, says any Israeli military attack on the vessel would constitute “yet another war crime” carried out since its war began in 2023.
“Basically, if Israel was to attack us, that would be yet another war crime to add to their long list of war crimes,” Acar said in a live broadcast on social media.
“They are the ones carrying the weapons. We only carry humanitarian aid. And what people need to do is they need to understand that we are civilians and we carry no weapons at all.”
The ship is carrying urgently needed supplies for the people of Gaza including baby formula, flour, rice, diapers, women’s sanitary products, water desalination kits, medical supplies, crutches, and children’s prosthetics, according to organisers.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has ordered the military “to act” to prevent the vessel from reaching besieged Gaza.
‘We have an obligation to assist a population that’s starving’
While the Madleen aid vessel is likely to be halted by Israel, the mission itself will have achieved an important goal, says one member of the crew.
“Our objective is to raise public awareness of the abuses by this rogue state, and to remind everyone our mission is perfectly legal,” EU parliamentarian Rima Hassan told Al Jazeera from the ship.
“We have a moral, legal, and political obligation to assist a population that’s starving, suffering through a genocide, and total annihilation for over a year and a half,” she added.
“We have a civic and political responsibility for people on this flotilla and around the world to do their part.”
Israel planning to intercept Madleen tonight: Report
The Israeli Haaretz newspaper has reported that Israel’s Navy is planning to intercept Madleen tonight, and will seek to do so as far from the coast of Gaza as possible.
The newspaper framed the plan to intercept the Madleen deep in international waters as meant to avoid having to take the vessel by force, saying it will give the crew ample time to turn around.
Madleen’s crew has said they remain resolute in breaking the Israeli blockade.
Meanwhile, a senior Israeli official told Israel’s Channel 12 that the vessel will be boarded by commandos if it does not turn around and will be taken to Ashdod port.
Irish activist denounces EU for ‘shirking’ Gaza blockade response
It’s a bold journey with a clear goal: to challenge the catastrophic Israeli blockade of Gaza. Twelve activists are on board the vessel Madleen with their destination a sliver of land sealed off by sea, air and land for nearly two decades.
Last month, another vessel from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition was attacked by alleged Israeli drones in international waters, and activists were forced to turn back.
“We are also very nervous about what the [Israeli army] and the Tel Aviv regime will do when they arrive. This boat contains equipment that the Israelis will not allow into Gaza: crutches, baby formula, painkillers, antibiotics,” Liam Cunningham, an Irish actor and activist, told Al Jazeera.
“We don’t want any harm to come to these people. This is a humanitarian mission doing what the rest of the world should be doing … and we are trying to break the siege that, under international law, the EU should be doing – and they’re not. They’re shirking their responsibilities, and their time will come.”
Gaza aid boat activists promise to carry on ‘until the last minute’
A humanitarian aid boat bound for Gaza with 12 activists on board will continue its journey “until the last minute”, campaigners say after Israel ordered its military to block the vessel.
“We’ll stay mobilised until the last minute until Israel cuts the internet and networks,” Rima Hassan, a member of the European Parliament, said from the Madleen.
The Madleen, part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, left Sicily last week with a cargo of relief supplies to “break Israel’s blockade on Gaza”, where Israel’s war has now entered its 21st month.
“There are 12 of us civilians on board. We are not armed. There is only humanitarian aid,” Hassan emphasised.
Earlier in the day, Israel’s defence minister ordered the military to block the boat from reaching the Palestinian territory. “I say clearly: turn back because you will not reach Gaza,” Katz warned.
What’s the Madleen’s latest location?
The Madleen has been experiencing issues with its live tracker, but it appears to be operational again.
UN rapporteur, Amnesty renew calls for Madleen’s safe passage
The UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese says the activist vessel is not only carrying aid but “humanity”.
“May Israel not endanger them as with the previous flotilla,” she wrote in a post on X.
Albanese is among a group of 10 United Nations experts who last week called for safe passage for the vessel, which they said is protected under international law.
Amnesty International has also been among the rights groups calling for Madleen to be allowed to safely reach Gaza.
“Israel must lift the blockade and allow safe passage to the#Madleen,” Amnesty Ireland posted on X.
‘We do not pose any kind of threat’
On board the Madleen, Turkish activist Huseyin Suayb says the crew remains hopeful they’ll reach blockaded Gaza despite the threat of a possible Israeli military attack.
“We are still heading toward Gaza, there is very little distance left. These are critical hours. God willing, we will be in Gaza tomorrow, as long as we do not face any obstruction,” said Suayb.
“Morale is generally good. We’re not thinking too much about what might happen to us,” he said. “Our hope of entering Gaza still stands. But now we’re entering the final day. It seems they [Israel] will once again continue to act unlawfully.”
He added: “They may attack us again, threaten us, or resort to personal violence. They may target our lives. But as you know, we’ve experienced this before. Even the slightest reflex shown in self-defence is labelled as a weapon, as terrorism. We are completely peaceful activists. Not a single one of us knows how to fight or use a weapon. We do not pose any kind of threat.”
Gaza aid boat activist says, ‘We are not afraid,’ despite Israeli threats
Thiago Avila, a Brazilian activist on board the Madleen vessel, tells Al Jazeera the boat is currently about 185km (100 nautical miles) off the coast of Gaza.
“We are here to support Gaza and demand an end to the bombing and starvation,” Avila said. “Despite threats, we will continue our journey. The world must stand with us.”
He said drones are flying overhead and communication systems had been jammed.
“We know Israeli forces are prepared to confront us with weapons, but we are not afraid,” he said. “What we face is nothing compared to what Palestinians in Gaza endure.”
Madleen crew preparing themselves for any scenario: AJ correspondent
Al Jazeera’s Omar Faiad has provided an update from on board the Madleen.
Amid Israel’s threats of interception, he said the crew is preparing for any type of situation.
“They said that this is a scenario we are expecting, that Israel might do anything,” said Faiad. “They are trying to prepare themselves for any scenario.”
The crew are readying themselves for being arrested, or the possibility of Israel using military force against them. He added the crew is “trying to prepare themselves peacefully”.
Gaza aid ship activists say they expect to be boarded ‘any moment’
Thiago Avila, a Brazilian activist on board the Madleen vessel, posted a video on social media saying someone appears to be jamming their tracking and communication devices.
The Freedom Flotilla activists said on X they expected “interception and an attack from Israel at any moment” and called for the governments of those on board to protect them.
“We’re not scared of them,” said German human rights activist Yasemin Acar, also on board. “The message they have been sending us – that we cannot come closer – is not making us step back.”
Nationals of Germany, France, Brazil, Turkiye, Sweden, Spain and the Netherlands are on the ship.
European parliamentarian Rima Hassan voiced concern over the lack of official response from countries whose citizens are part of the crew.
“No state has responded. The message being sent is that Israel is being allowed to act with impunity, without any guarantee of protection for us,” she said.
Israeli minister calls aid activists ‘Hamas propaganda mouthpieces’
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has called climate activist Greta Thunberg an “anti-Semite” and her aid group “Hamas propaganda mouthpieces”.
The Madleen, operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, left Italy on June 1 with the aim of delivering aid and challenging the Israeli blockade of Gaza, which has been in place for years before Israeli launched its war on Gaza in October 2023.
Organisers said their vessel is nearing the enclave.
“Israel will not allow anyone to break the naval blockade of Gaza, which is aimed at preventing weapons from reaching Hamas – a murderous terrorist group holding our hostages and committing war crimes,” Katz said.
“Israel will act against any attempt to break the blockade or support terror groups – by sea, air or land,” he warned. “You should turn back because you will not reach Gaza.”
Madleen crew calls for international support amid Israeli threat
Yasemin Acar has given an update from the Madleen, saying the vessel is just 150 nautical miles from Gaza.
Acar said there have been interruptions to the ship’s tracking system and internet, but “spirits are high”.
“We believe that we will reach Gaza, and that’s why it’s so important that you all play your part in this to make sure that there is no interception,” she said in an Telegram livestream.
“Contact your your local politicians. Contact everyone you know, everyone who is in power, everyone that you voted into power. They have the power, first and foremost, to stop this genocide, then they have power to lift this illegal siege,” she said.
She noted that, while the ship may be intercepted by Israel, and those on board arrested and deported, the crew remains committed to its mission.
“What we are aiming for is to challenge the illegal blockade, to break the illegal blockade on Gaza, to deliver much needed aid and to open up a people’s humanitarian sea corridor,” she said.
“The only ones carrying weapons and violence is the IOF (the Israeli occupation forces), the Israeli regime,” she said.
Gaza aid flotilla near ‘a place under siege’
Yasemin Acar, an activist on board the Gaza aid flotilla Madleen, talks about their progress, when they hope to reach Gaza’s “territorial waters” and what awaits them in Gaza.
Israel’s defence minister orders military to stop Madleen from reaching Gaza
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz says he has instructed the military to prevent the Madleen from reaching Gaza.
“The State of Israel will not allow anyone to violate the naval blockade on Gaza,” Katz said in a statement carried by The Times of Israel.
Addressing the activists on board the ship directly, Katz said: “You should turn back because you will not reach Gaza.” He described them as “anti-Semitic”.
Greta Thunberg urges Gaza ceasefire from Madleen
Speaking to Al Jazeera, climate activist Greta Thunberg, who is on board the Madleen, calls for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
“We will try to break the siege and open humanitarian corridors to Gaza,” she said.
Drones hovering around Madleen ship: Activist
Baptiste Andre, a French physician and activist on the Madleen ship heading to Gaza, has spoken to Al Jazeera about the situation on board the vessel as it tries to break Israel’s blockade of the enclave.
Here is a summary of his translated comments:
- Drones have been flying overhead at high altitude for hours.
- The people on board are constantly in contact with numerous parties, including the French Foreign Ministry.
- The ship is carrying a tonne of medical aid, which is a symbolic amount.
- Those on board demand an end to the siege imposed on Gaza.
Palestinians in Gaza gather to watch Madleen’s progress
In a social media post shared by Drop Site News, a US media outlet, people can be seen gathering to watch an Al Jazeera broadcast featuring Greta Thunberg and the Freedom Flotilla Coalition ship.
“We are watching you in Gaza. We do not turn off the screen,” the social media post caption reads.
Rima Hassan says Madleen on ‘final approach’ to Gaza
In a post on X, the French member of the European Parliament, currently on board the Freedom Flotilla Coalition ship bound for the Gaza Strip, says she expects the Israeli army to intercept the activists as they approach the coastline.
She also claimed that Israel would deploy a missile boat and an elite commando force to stop their mission.
‘The best security measure we have is visibility’
Thiago Avila, a Brazilian activist on board the Madleen, says the ship is now just 190 miles (306km) from the Gaza Strip and is calling on supporters to demand their government to ensure a safe passage.
Here’s what Avila said in a video shared on Instagram on Sunday morning:
“We are right now somewhere in the Mediterranean Sea. But if you look right there, 190 miles from where we are, it’s Gaza. A place that has been living under siege by sea, by land and by air for 18 years.”
Avila added that the aid ship has “a humble mission”.
“We are just 12 people here. We carry all the aid we can. We carry food, medicine, crutches. We carry prosthetics for amputated children. We carry water filters and everything else we could but, of course, it’s a drop in the ocean for the necessities of Gaza,” he said.
Avila also spoke about the history of Israeli attacks on aid ships approaching Gaza and the risks as the Madleen grows closer.
“The best security measure we have is visibility,” he said. “It is you sharing, you pressuring your nation states, pressuring your governments for them to pressure for a safe passage.”
Israel kills 5, wounds 70, in latest attack on Gaza aid seekers
As the Madleen makes its way towards Gaza, people there are continuing to face difficulties accessing food under Israel’s violent blockade.
At least five people have been killed and more than 70 wounded in the latest incident of Israeli troops opening fire on hungry Palestinians seeking food in southern Gaza.
You can follow our live coverage on the latest developments in the Gaza Strip, here.
Ships that tried to break Israel’s blockade on Gaza
- The SS Liberty and the Free Gaza: In August 2008, two Free Gaza Movement wooden ships carrying 44 activists from 17 countries reached the port of Gaza, the first foreign vessel to dock there in 41 years. They successfully delivered 200 hearing aids for children there.
- The Mavi Marmara: At around 4am on May 31, 2010, Israeli commandos stormed the Mavi Marmara, the lead ship in a flotilla carrying aid to Gaza. They shot and killed eight Turkish nationals and an American Turkish national, while a tenth Turkish national later died of his wounds.
- The Marianne: On June 29, 2015, Israel’s military boarded and seized the ship at around 2am local time, some 100 nautical miles (185km) from Gaza’s shore.
- The Akdeniz: In April 2024, the Akdeniz was unable to depart Turkiye after organisers said its flag was withdrawn under pressure from Israeli and US authorities. It was the lead ship in a flotilla carrying 5,000 tonnes of humanitarian supplies and aid workers from 40 countries, including former South African President Nelson Mandela’s grandson, Mandla Mandela.
- The Conscience: At the beginning of May this year, two drones hit the ship, causing the engine to catch fire and blowing a hole in the hull, before it reached Malta where crew members, including Greta Thunberg, were preparing to board.
Madleen set to arrive in Palestinian waters in 24 hours
Rima Hassan, the French-Palestinian Member of European Parliament on board the Madleen, says the ship will reach Palestinian waters within a day.
In a post on Instagram, Hassan wrote in French: “In 24 hours, we will arrive in Palestinian waters, illegally controlled and occupied by Israel.”
Where is the Madleen now?
According to a livetracker on board the vessel, as of 01:39 GMT on Sunday, the Madleen is sailing north of the Egyptian coastal city of Rosetta.
We will bring you more information when we have it.
New flotilla revives painful memories of Israeli raid on Mavi Marmara
In 2010, Israeli forces stormed the Mavi Marmara, a ship in a flotilla trying to break the siege on Gaza, in a raid that left 10 people dead.
Al Jazeera’s Jamal Elshayyal, who witnessed the 2010 raid firsthand, reflects on its lasting impact as the Madleen nears Gaza
‘This Eid, our hearts are with Palestinians of Gaza’
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) has put out a short statement in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, who are spending the Eid al-Adha holiday under Israeli bombardment and siege.
“You deserve life, justice, peace, and the right to celebrate Eid without mourning,” the group wrote on X.
Madleen reaches Egypt
The aid ship with 12 activists on board, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, has reached the Egyptian coast and is nearing the besieged Palestinian territory, organisers say in a statement carried by AFP news agency.
“We are now sailing off the Egyptian coast,” German human rights activist Yasemin Acar told AFP. “We are all good,” she added.
In a statement from London on Saturday, the International Committee for Breaking the Siege of Gaza – a member organisation of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition – said the ship had entered Egyptian waters.
The group said it remains in contact with international legal and human rights bodies to ensure the safety of those on board, warning that any interception would constitute “a blatant violation of international humanitarian law”.
European parliament member Rima Hassan, who is on board the vessel, urged governments to “guarantee safe passage for the Freedom Flotilla”.
Rima Hassan: Blocking Gaza-bound ship violates international law
French Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan called for the Madleen ship to be allowed to reach Gaza and for its safety to be guaranteed.
Speaking from on board the ship, Hassan asserted that any attempt to target or intercept the ship would constitute a flagrant violation of international law, and would not deter the 12 activists from continuing their voyage.
Israel has said it would prevent the ship from reaching Gaza, while an Israeli military spokesperson confirmed that the ship is being treated as a security threat.
According to current sailing data, the ship’s crew is expected to reach 100 nautical miles (185km) from Gaza on Monday, the point at which the ship is likely to be intercepted, based on previous incidents.