Freedom Fleet Coalition's Madleen Mission (2025)

In 2025, a civilian-led humanitarian aid and navigation initiative was launched to deliver assistance to the Gaza Strip and break the maritime blockade. Organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the mission was carried out using the 18-meter sailing vessel Madleen. The vessel departed from the city of Catania on the Italian island of Sicily on 1 June 2025 and followed an easterly route through international waters toward the coast of Gaza. Onboard were 12 civilian participants from various countries carrying a cargo of humanitarian supplies including baby formula, medical equipment, hygiene products, and foodstuffs. On 9 June 2025, while sailing in international waters off the coast of Gaza, the vessel was stopped by the Israeli Navy, boarded, and its crew detained. This development has sparked various debates within the frameworks of international law, maritime rights, and humanitarian aid operations.

Freedom Flotilla Coalition and Previous Missions

Coalition Structure and International Composition

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) is an international civil movement platform formed through the joint participation of civil society organizations, human rights advocates, and solidarity groups from different countries. Since 2010, the coalition has opposed the maritime blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip and organized various humanitarian aid missions. FFC activities include sailing aid ships from international waters toward Palestinian territorial waters to symbolically and directly protest the blockade. Participating organizations encompass numerous groups and individuals from Europe, North America, Latin America, and the Middle East.

The Mavi Marmara Attack

In 2010, the Mavi Marmara vessel, organized by the Turkish-based IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation as part of the Freedom Flotilla initiative to deliver aid to Gaza, was intercepted by the Israeli military on 31 May 2010 in international waters. During this intervention, nine Turkish citizens lost their lives and one person was seriously injured, later succumbing to their wounds. The incident generated widespread international public reaction and triggered new debates regarding the legal legitimacy of the blockade on Palestine and the safety of civilian humanitarian efforts. The FFC’s 2025 mission directly references this historical legacy.

Drone Attack on the “Conscience” Vessel in May 2025

In a previous mission organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition in May 2025, the aid vessel Conscience was attacked in international waters off the coast of Malta. On 2 May 2025 at 00:23 local time, unmanned aerial vehicles caused significant damage to the vessel’s hull and ignited a fire at its bow. Prior to the incident, international media reports noted that an Israeli C-130 military transport aircraft had circled Malta for several hours. The FFC directly attributed the attack to Israel, although no official statement was issued by Israeli authorities. This event prompted close monitoring of the security situation surrounding the Madleen mission; the FFC subsequently decided to continue its operations with an emphasis on full compliance with international law.

Preparations for the Madleen Vessel and Departure from Italy

As part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s most recent humanitarian mission, the sailing vessel Madleen departed on 1 June 2025 from the San Giovanni Li Cuti Port in Catania, on the Italian island of Sicily, heading toward Gaza. The 18-meter vessel aims to reach Palestinian territorial waters by navigating through international waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

Before departure, a symbolic farewell event was held at Catania Port attended by civil society representatives, volunteers, and supporters, featuring flags and banners. The cargo onboard included baby formula, flour, rice, hygiene products, items for women’s health, water purification kits, medical equipment, walking canes, and prosthetic limbs for children.

The vessel carries a total of 12 international crew members, including members of the European Parliament, climate activists, and human rights defenders from various countries. All personnel and volunteers received training in nonviolent action prior to the vessel’s departure. It has been stated that the vessel is unarmed and that its mission is exclusively humanitarian and based on civil resistance.

During its voyage, the location of the Madleen is shared with the public through Garmin live tracking and mapping tools supported by Forensic Architecture. It has been affirmed that all activities related to the vessel are conducted in full compliance with international law.

United Nations rapporteurs, in a statement issued in the days following the departure, affirmed that the Madleen vessel has the right to free navigation in international waters and emphasized the necessity of protecting humanitarian aid missions; they called on all relevant actors to refrain from any potential interference with the vessel.

Crew and Participants

The individuals serving aboard the Madleen vessel form a group of 12 people from various countries. Among them are a member of the European Parliament, a climate movement activist, an artist, and human rights defenders. Participants underwent training in peaceful protest methods and civil resistance practices prior to the voyage. The coalition stated that all individuals on board are unarmed and that the voyage is entirely civilian in nature.

The participants, listed in alphabetical order, are as follows:

• Yasemin Acar (Germany)
• Baptiste Andre (France)
• Thiago Avila (Brazil)
• Omar Faiad (France)
• Rima Hassan (France)
• Pascal Maurieras (France)
• Yanis Mhamdi (France)
• Şuayb Ordu (Türkiye)
• Greta Thunberg (Sweden)
• Sergio Toribio (Spain)
• Marco Van Rennes (Netherlands)
• Reva Viard (France)

Greta Thunberg, in a statement made before departure from the port, described herself as part of a civilian mission. Rima Hassan, in a post made during the voyage, emphasized that “this journey is an alternative to silence.” The participants’ statements have been published across various social media platforms to inform the public about the legal and symbolic dimensions of the mission.

Various technical and logistical measures have been taken to monitor the safety of participants during the voyage, and the ship’s route and movement information has been periodically disclosed to the public to mitigate potential risks during the sea journey.

Israel’s Stance and International Security Concerns

Following the commencement of the Madleen’s voyage toward Gaza, Israeli authorities have made several statements regarding possible intervention scenarios. Israeli Defense Forces spokesperson Effie Defrin announced to the public that Israel was preparing to take action against vessels carrying humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.

Among developments concerning security threats to the ship, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was detected near the Madleen on 4 June 2025. A video recording published by European Parliament member Rima Hassan indicated that passengers on board were preparing precautions in response to this situation. On the same day, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s official statement confirmed that a UAV had been observed flying above the Madleen and that the incident had been brought to public attention. In a previous Freedom Flotilla mission earlier this year, the ship Conscience was targeted by UAVs off the coast of Malta on 2 May 2025.

A statement issued by United Nations special rapporteurs warned that any attack or interference against the ship could have serious consequences and called on all parties to act within the framework of international law. In this statement, which recalled obligations regarding freedom of navigation and the protection of civilians, the rapporteurs emphasized that the responsibility to ensure the safety of the Madleen mission applies to all relevant states.

Route Information and Position Tracking

On 1 June 2025, the Madleen departed from Catania and altered its course eastward toward the Gaza coastline via the Mediterranean Sea. It has been confirmed that the voyage will be conducted entirely through international waters. The ship continues its journey without making any port calls along the route.

As of 4 June 2025, the Madleen was reported to be approximately 600 kilometers from the Gaza coastline. Public announcements by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition have stated that the ship’s position continues to be shared with the public and that the operation is being conducted transparently.

Israel’s Interception of the Madleen

Communication Disruptions Prior to the Interception

Beginning on 8 June 2025, as the Madleen approached the coast of Gaza, various technical issues were reported on the communication channels of the crew and activists. Posts from the ship’s social media accounts and personal devices of participants noted slowdowns in internet connectivity and intermittent loss of signal. Activist Yasemin Acar, in a post made on the same date, reported observations suggesting that the connections aboard the vessel had been deliberately disrupted.

During the communication outages, some participants on board pre-recorded video messages and distributed them widely to ensure they reached the outside world. One such video was recorded by Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, who provided information on the situation aboard the ship. The recording stated that they were sailing in international waters and called for public awareness of a possible interception. Rima Hassan also published a similar video in French.

On the same day, as the Madleen approached the waters off Gaza at a distance of approximately 160 to 180 nautical miles, it was reported that the vessel’s route could be tracked at intervals but its position signals became irregular. Discrepancies emerged between the tracking data provided by Garmin devices and the mapping by Forensic Architecture. This situation was also documented in the navigation reports published online by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition.

In addition, visual and audio evidence collected on the evening of 8 June indicated the presence of UAV activity around the ship. Footage captured by activists showed unmanned aerial vehicles with audible engine sounds, which were later released to the public by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. On the same day, members of the European Parliament and UN rapporteurs issued statements identifying such activities as threats to the right of freedom of navigation.

The Interception and Military Operation

On 9 June 2025, while the Madleen was sailing in international waters in the central Mediterranean, it was stopped by units of the Israeli Navy. The interception occurred at 03:02 Central European Time at coordinates 31.95236° N latitude and 32.38880° E longitude. These coordinates lie approximately 170 nautical miles from the Gaza coast and outside Israeli territorial waters.

According to a statement by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, Israeli military forces boarded the vessel, detained the civilian crew, and seized all humanitarian aid cargo on board. Following the interception, control of the ship was fully transferred to Israeli forces, and the sailboat was redirected toward Israel’s Ashdod port. During the transfer, it was reported that the crew and activists were kept aboard the vessel without being allowed to dock at any port.

Video footage recorded during the interception showed all participants on board wearing life jackets and emerging onto the deck with their hands raised. These images were subsequently published by both the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and international media outlets. It was stated that the activists offered no resistance and that all actions aboard the vessel were entirely peaceful.

Israeli official authorities declared the vessel a “Selfie Yacht” and justified the operation on grounds of national security. After the interception, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the entire crew had arrived in Ashdod. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition publicly stated that the interception violated international law, as the Madleen was engaged in peaceful navigation in international waters and its mission was conducted within the framework of humanitarian aid and freedom of expression. In the aftermath of the interception, urgent responses and calls for observation from the international community followed.

The Detention of Activists and Diplomatic Efforts

Following the Israeli military intervention on the Madleen ship on 9 June 2025, the 12 civilian activists on board were detained by the Israeli military. Immediately after the intervention, the activists were initially held at the port of Ashdod and subsequently subjected to detention procedures without formal entry into Israeli territory. Their legal status has been defined as individuals eligible for deportation, but it has been clarified that they never physically entered Israel.

In a statement issued by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the release of the activists was demanded, with emphasis that their detention must be evaluated under international law as “forced abduction” and “arbitrary detention.” As of the morning of 10 June, no clear public information had been provided regarding the whereabouts of the activists. According to reports in the Israeli press, the detained individuals were expected to be transferred to detention centers near Tel Aviv or to one of the deportation facilities in Ramle.

Following the intervention, diplomatic efforts were initiated by countries whose citizens were aboard the ship, beginning with France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden. The French Presidency announced that it had contacted Israeli authorities demanding the immediate release of its citizens. The Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that it had communicated with the Israeli Foreign Ministry regarding the situation of Greta Thunberg. The Netherlands and Germany have activated official procedures through their embassies to provide consular assistance.

European Parliament member Rima Hassan and other participants, in statements made via social media, declared the detention to be invalid under international law and stated that Israel’s actions violate maritime law and human rights law. The Coalition announced that Israel seeks to deport the activists to their home countries without any charges being brought against them or any judicial process being conducted.

United Nations special rapporteurs have also become involved in the process, calling for the immediate release of the Madleen crew and emphasizing that the military intervention at sea breaches numerous international obligations concerning freedom of navigation and humanitarian aid activities. The rapporteurs issued a joint statement affirming that forcibly returning the individuals on board to their home countries contravenes international human rights norms.

Protests and International Public Reaction

Following the military intervention on the Madleen ship, protests were organized by civil society organizations, activists, and citizens in many countries. On 9 and 10 June, demonstrations took place in various European cities, including Germany, France, and Italy, demanding the release of the 12 activists detained on the ship.

In Berlin, demonstrators gathered at Neptunbrunnen Square in front of the city hall, protesting the intervention on the Madleen and organizing a symbolic march carrying photographs of the activists on board. Banners bearing slogans such as “Freedom for Madleen,” “Aid to Gaza is a right,” “Stop the genocide,” and “Lift the blockade” were displayed. Individual appeals were made, including the name of Yasemin Acar, a German resident and activist on the ship.

In France, mass demonstrations were held in Paris, Lille, and Toulouse. Due to the presence of French citizens on the ship, national media gave extensive coverage to the developments. Protesters called on the French government to undertake more effective diplomatic efforts to secure the release of those on board.

In Rome and Catania, Italy, demonstrations expressed opposition to Israel’s intervention and affirmed the need to support civilian initiatives delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza. Leaflets calling on the international community to demand the release of the 12 activists on board were distributed during the protests.

In Türkiye, Iran, and several Arab countries, various press statements and demonstrations were also held. The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Israel’s intervention, stating that targeting civilian humanitarian missions is unacceptable.

In a joint statement issued following the intervention on the Madleen ship, the United Nations Special Mechanisms on Human Rights declared that “an attack on a civilian humanitarian mission violates the freedom of navigation and human rights.” The UN statement further recalled that humanitarian activities at sea are protected under international law and must not be subject to arbitrary interference.

Deportation Process of Activists and Diplomatic Developments

On 10 June 2025, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that proceedings had been initiated to deport four activists. It was reported that these individuals voluntarily accepted deportation by signing their deportation documents and agreed to return to their home countries. Among them was Swedish citizen and climate activist Greta Thunberg. It was stated that Thunberg was escorted by Israeli police onto a flight at Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport and that the procedure was recorded on video.

It was announced that the eight activists who refused deportation would be brought before Israeli courts as part of judicial proceedings. It was reported that these individuals are being monitored by the Israeli human rights organization Adalah, have met with their lawyers, and are receiving legal support. The activists are being held at the Givon detention center in Ramla, where diplomatic delegations from France and the Netherlands have visited them.

The Israeli Ministry of Interior announced that it has issued an administrative decision banning all activists aboard the Madleen vessel from entering Israel. It was stated that these individuals will not be permitted to enter Israeli territory in the future. Furthermore, it was clarified that the eight individuals who refused deportation will be brought before the Immigration Court and that a decision will be issued during this process.

Reactions to these developments have come from the European Union and several states. European Parliament spokesperson Delphine Colard emphasized that the safety of all members aboard the Madleen, including European Parliament member Rima Hassan, is a priority. European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas stressed the need to strengthen international maritime law following the intervention on the Madleen. The foreign ministries of Slovenia, Indonesia and Malaysia also issued diplomatic statements regarding the detention process, underscoring the importance of not obstructing humanitarian aid.

Following these developments, the deportation process has been effectively initiated; four activists have been sent back to their countries. The judicial process for the remaining eight individuals continues.

Legal Proceedings and Detention Orders Following the Intervention

On 9 June 2025, following the Israeli military’s intervention on the Madleen vessel in international waters, the twelve-member civilian crew aboard the ship was detained and taken to Israel. Four activists were deported on the morning of 10 June, while the remaining eight were reported to be held in various Israeli detention facilities.

According to statements by the Israeli human rights organization Adalah, some of the eight activists were placed in solitary confinement and subjected to mistreatment. European Parliament member Rima Hassan was transferred to a cell without windows on the grounds that she had written “Free Palestine” on the wall of her cell; Brazilian activist Thiago Avila was transferred to Ayalon Prison under isolation conditions due to a hunger strike.

On 11 June, an immigration court in Givon Detention Center, Ramle, ruled that the eight activists detained from the Madleen vessel would remain in custody until deportation. The court argued that attempting to reach the Gaza Strip by sea under blockade violated Israeli law. Some activists refused to sign deportation documents, and their applications for release were denied.

Deported Activists and Israel’s Statements

As of 12 June 2025, six activists from the Madleen vessel were transported to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport for deportation. The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the deportations via social media, stating that the activists had been sent back to their countries. The statement also confirmed that the group, including European Parliament member Rima Hassan, was no longer in Israel.

French citizen Rima Hassan was met by supporters upon her arrival in Paris. On the same day, Turkish citizen Şuayb Ordu and German citizen Yasemin Acar, who were deported to Germany, made no public statements after their return. It was also confirmed that Dutch citizen Marco van Rennes and French citizen Pascal Maurieras were among those deported on that date.

Israeli authorities stated that the deported individuals had voluntarily signed the necessary documents and accepted return to their countries. Some international reports raised concerns regarding restrictions on detention conditions and diplomatic access during these procedures. The deportation process was carried out under Israel’s administrative framework governing internal security and migration law.

Activists Remaining in Israel and the Suspension of Proceedings Due to Iranian Attacks

As of 13 June 2025, it was reported that deportation proceedings for three activists from the Madleen vessel had been temporarily suspended. These individuals could not be sent home due to restrictions on international air traffic caused by Israel’s military operations against Iran. According to Israeli media reports, the activists were held at the Holon Repatriation Center near Tel Aviv.

Israeli authorities stated that, due to the impossibility of air transport, diplomatic efforts were underway to deport the individuals overland to Jordan. On 15 June, an administrative decision established coordination with Jordan, and it was decided that the activists would be deported via the Allenby Bridge. On the morning of 16 June, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the three individuals had left the country by land.

The names and nationalities of the three deported individuals were not officially disclosed, but diplomatic sources indicated they were citizens of France, Italy, and Spain. Consular officials monitored their cases, and it was confirmed that the border crossing process was conducted under diplomatic supervision.

Diplomatic Reactions and Repercussions in Europe

The detention and deportation of activists involved in the Madleen mission triggered political and diplomatic responses in various European capitals. The President and spokespeople of the European Parliament stated on 12 June 2025 that the detention of a member with parliamentary immunity constituted a serious violation, and affirmed that the process would continue to be monitored following Rima Hassan’s release.

The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it was monitoring the safety of its returning citizens and continuing diplomatic consultations with Israeli authorities regarding the status of those still detained. Similarly, the diplomatic missions of Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy declared that they were conducting official monitoring and support activities related to the detention and deportation procedures.

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that all activists had been removed from the country and that the mission aboard the vessel was assessed as an unlawful attempt to undermine Israel’s maritime security and legal sovereignty. United Nations rapporteurs have initiated the preparation of a new joint report on the intervention on the vessel and the subsequent detention proceedings.