Gaza-Bound Aid Ship Madleen Seized by Israeli Military; Activists to be Deported

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta The Israeli military seized the aid ship Madleen, bound for Gaza, and is currently towing it to Israel, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced early Monday, June 9, 2025. The ministry added that the activists on board will be deported to their home countries.

In a statement posted on X, as reported by Anadolu, the ministry asserted that the ship "is safely making its way to the shores of Israel. The passengers are expected to return to their home countries."

It reiterated that "the maritime zone off the coast of Gaza is closed to unauthorized vessels under a legal naval blockade, consistent with international law."

The ministry further claimed, "Humanitarian aid is delivered regularly and effectively via different channels and routes and is transferred through established distribution mechanisms."

On May 27, Israel began implementing a controversial plan to distribute aid through the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) under UN supervision. Palestine has condemned this action as a tactic to force displacement from northern to southern Gaza.

The Gaza Government Media Office reported that the death toll at the American-Israeli aid distribution site has risen to 125 people, with 736 injured and nine missing since May 27. According to the office, 13 people died and 153 were injured on Sunday alone in two separate incidents near the site.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition reported that Israeli forces reportedly abducted the activists aboard the Madleen on Sunday night.

Prior to this, the coalition stated that the Israeli navy boarded the Madleen in international waters, and communication with the ship was subsequently cut off.

Previously recorded footage showed Israeli vessels surrounding the ship, with soldiers ordering the activists inside to raise their hands.

French-Palestinian Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan stated that sirens sounded on the Madleen after drones sprayed a white fluid on the ship.

UN rapporteur for Palestine Francesca Albanese confirmed the presence of two drones overhead, describing them as "dangerous." The Israeli Foreign Ministry stated that the navy ordered the Madleen to change course due to its approach to what it referred to as a "restricted area."

As part of the latest mission organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition to break Israel's blockade in Gaza and deliver aid to the region, the 18-meter-long Madleen set sail for Gaza on June 1 from the Port of San Giovanni Li Cuti in Catania, Sicily, Italy.

A total of 12 people were aboard the Madleen, including 11 activists and one journalist. Among them were Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg; French-Palestinian Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan; Yasemin Acar from Germany; Baptiste Andre, Pascal Maurieras, Yanis Mhamdi, and Reva Viard from France; Thiago Avila from Brazil; Suayb Ordu from Turkey; Sergio Toribio from Spain; Marco van Rennes from the Netherlands; and Omar Faiad, an Al Jazeera Mubasher journalist, also from France.

According to its organizers, the ship carried much-needed supplies for the Palestinian people in Gaza, including baby formula, flour, rice, diapers, women's sanitation products, water desalination equipment, medical supplies, crutches, and pediatric prosthetics.

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