Israeli forces intercepted the British-flagged charity vessel Madleen, which was attempting to breach the Israeli naval blockade to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. Operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), the yacht had departed from Sicily on June 6 and aimed to reach Gaza the day of the interception. Notable individuals on board include Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and French MEP Rima Hassan.
The Israeli military communicated with the Madleen via loudspeaker, stating the maritime zone off Gaza was closed due to the blockade and offering to allow aid deliveries through the Israeli port of Ashdod. The yacht was carrying a symbolic shipment of humanitarian aid, including rice and baby formula, and had a crew of 12.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz had previously instructed the military to prevent the yacht’s arrival, classifying the mission as a propaganda campaign supporting Hamas, which has controlled Gaza since 2007. The ongoing blockade has persisted through several conflicts, including the current war, which ignited after a Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in over 1,200 Israeli deaths according to official counts. Meanwhile, Gaza’s health ministry reported over 54,000 Palestinians killed amid Israel’s military response. The United Nations has expressed concerns that the majority of Gaza’s 2 million residents are now facing famine, highlighting the dire humanitarian situation in the region.
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