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June 11, 2025 – Palestine/Israel –
Israeli naval forces intercepted the UK‑flagged aid vessel Madleen in international waters, approximately 185 km off the Gaza coast, amid a humanitarian convoy organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. The flotilla, which set sail from Sicily on June 1 carrying symbolic aid—baby formula, rice, medical kits—intended to highlight Gaza’s critical humanitarian crisis.
Israeli commandos boarded the vessel using drones, communications jamming measures, and irritant sprays before towing it to Ashdod. Aboard were 12 individuals, including high-profile participants such as climate activist Greta Thunberg, French MEP Rima Hassan, and two journalists from Blast and Al Jazeera.
After detention, activists were offered voluntary deportation or legal proceedings. Four—including Thunberg, Al Jazeera reporter Omar Faiad, Spanish activist Sergio Toribio, and French activist Baptiste André—accepted deportation and were flown out on June 10. Thunberg characterized the raid as an “illegal kidnapping,” accusing Israeli forces of violating international law. The remaining eight, including Hassan and other European activists, refused deportation orders and were detained at Givon Prison pending judicial review.
Israeli officials defended their actions, citing enforcement of Gaza’s naval blockade and maintaining that detainees were shown footage of the October 7 Hamas attacks—a screening some activists declined.
International reactions were swift and critical. UN experts, Amnesty International, and European governments condemned the interceptions and detentions as violations of international maritime law and human rights norms. Ireland, Spain, France, and Turkey summoned Israeli diplomats to protest. Advocacy groups labeled the operation “piracy” and “state terrorism.” The U.K. government was urged to defend its flagship vessel.
Reference –
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/10/israel-launches-deportation-of-gaza-bound-madleen-activists
