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This article was automatically translated from the original Turkish version.
Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s Gaza Mission (2025) is an international civilian maritime mission formed by the merger of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) and the organization Thousand Madleens to Gaza (TMTG). The mission’s primary objective has been to break the naval blockade of the Gaza Strip, which has lasted approximately 18 years, deliver humanitarian aid directly to the region, and bring this blockade to the attention of the international public. The flagship of the flotilla has been designated as the "Vicdan (Conscience)".
In September 2025, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) and the Thousand Madleens to Gaza (TMTG) organization decided to jointly organize a maritime mission and announced this decision in a press statement issued on 16 September 2025. The statement specified that the fundamental purpose of the merger was to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza, described as “illegal and lethal.” It further stated that FFC and TMTG were uniting their forces under the principle of “one flotilla, one mission,” committing to operate as a single coordinated effort.
A second statement was released on 27 September 2025. This announcement confirmed that a total of 10 vessels would set sail from the city of Catania on the Italian island of Sicily. It was noted that approximately 70 individuals from more than 20 countries would be aboard the flotilla, including nine members of parliament from Belgium, Denmark, the European Union, Ireland, France, Spain, and the United States.
The statement also emphasized that the mission continued the legacy of previous Freedom Flotilla vessels such as Handala, Madleen, and Conscience, and that past maritime campaigns had established a foundational precedent for this operation. The joint declaration included the statement: “Every vessel is a direct challenge to the blockade and a declaration in defense of the Palestinian people’s right to live freely.”
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s 2025 Gaza mission involved approximately 100 civilians from various countries. Among the participants were doctors, journalists, human rights advocates, and representatives of civil society organizations.
According to the coalition’s announcement, 11 vessels participated in the mission. Their names are as follows:
Abd Elkarim Eid, Al-Awda, Alaa Al-Najjar, Anas Al-Sharif, Vicdan (Conscience), Gaza Sunbird, Ghassan Kanafani, Leila Khaled, Milad, Soul of My Soul, Umm Saad.
The flagship Vicdan (Conscience) has become a symbol of the flotilla due to its technical capacity and its preparation for renewed service following damage sustained in a prior attack — specifically, an unmanned aerial vehicle strike off the coast of Malta on 2 May 2025.
The coalition’s statements indicated that these vessels carried humanitarian and medical supplies, along with healthcare workers and media representatives. The aid included baby formula, medicines, medical equipment, and essential health supplies.
All participants held civilian status, and the mission was explicitly framed as a “non-military, humanitarian action.” This character延续ed the tradition of previous Freedom Flotilla and Sumud Flotilla operations.
The flotilla set sail from the city of Catania on the Italian island of Sicily on 27 September 2025. In its press statement, the FFC reported that ten vessels departed from the San Giovanni Li Cuti port, carrying nearly 70 civilians from more than 20 countries.
On 30 September 2025, it was announced that the flagship vessel Conscience had departed from the Italian port of Otranto and commenced its journey toward Gaza. A large number of Palestinian supporters gathered along the Otranto coastline to bid farewell to the vessel, chanting slogans such as “Freedom for Palestine.”
As of 1 October 2025, it was reported that the Conscience had resumed its voyage following repairs and reached the waters off Crete on 2 October. The navigation around Crete served as a waiting point for other vessels to regroup into flotilla formation.
On 3 October 2025, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition announced that all 11 vessels had united. In a statement released through the Anadolu Agency, the coalition confirmed that following the merger, the flotilla had begun advancing from the waters off Crete toward Gaza, with approximately 100 people aboard the vessels.
By 5 October, the flotilla had reached the waters off Alexandria, Egypt. At this stage, the flotilla was described as entering a region classified as “medium risk” in terms of potential Israeli military intervention.
On 6 October 2025, Freedom Flotilla Coalition spokesperson Huwaida Arraf announced that the flotilla was approximately 238 nautical miles (about 440 kilometers) from Gaza and that its objective was to reach the Gaza coastline by 10 October. Arraf also stated that the flotilla was on “high alert” in anticipation of possible Israeli intervention.
By the evening of 7 October, the flotilla had approached to within 150 nautical miles (approximately 277 kilometers) of the Gaza coastline. According to the FFC, this area has been identified as the “critical zone” where previous flotillas had faced Israeli interventions. The flotilla’s location updates were regularly shared on the FFC’s official Telegram channel, but these broadcasts ceased in subsequent hours.
In the early hours of 8 October 2025, the Israeli navy intervened against ships belonging to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) as they were advancing toward Gaza in international waters. According to FFC and Anadolu Agency sources, the operation took place approximately 120 nautical miles (220 kilometers) off the coast of Gaza, within international maritime space.
The vessels Gaza Sunbird, Alaa Al-Najjar, and Anas Al-Sharif were reportedly targeted first. According to the FFC, the attack began at 04:34 local time, when Israeli forces boarded the ships and detained their crews. Communication with the teams aboard these vessels, composed of doctors, journalists, and civilian volunteers, was severed in the initial hours.
In a statement issued by the coalition, it was reported that humanitarian aid valued at approximately 110,000 US dollars—including medicine, respiratory equipment, and nutritional supplies—was also seized during the operation. The FFC stated that this aid had been prepared for delivery to hospitals in Gaza.
Shortly after the attack, contact with the other eight ships in the flotilla was lost. Live broadcasts from the vessels showed Israeli naval assault boats surrounding the ships; shortly thereafter, the broadcasts were cut and satellite connections with the vessels were disabled.
In a statement from the FFC’s press team, it was stated: “Our ships are under illegal blockade. Cameras have been disabled and military personnel have boarded the vessels. We have lost contact with our ships.” The coalition asserted that Israel had violated international law and characterized the seizure of the ships as “arbitrary detention and unlawful intervention.” Canadian representative David Heap of “Canadian Boat to Gaza” stated: “Israel has no authority to detain international volunteers aboard these vessels. This is a clear violation of international law and contradicts the International Court of Justice’s ruling on humanitarian access.”
On the same day, Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on the social media platform X that it had intervened against a flotilla attempting to illegally breach the maritime blockade. The statement read: “The ships and passengers have been transferred to a port in Israel. All passengers are safe and in good health. They are expected to be deported shortly.”
Following the Israeli military’s intervention in international waters on the morning of 8 October 2025, a total of eight vessels, including the FFC flagship Vicdan, were brought to Ashdod (Usdud) Port later that evening. According to Anadolu Agency reports, the ships and activists seized by Israeli forces in the morning were disembarked by security units upon arrival at the port.
The human rights organization Adalah informed the AA that its lawyers had entered the port to meet with the detained activists. The statement indicated that after processing at Ashdod Port, the activists were expected to be transferred to the Ketziot Prison in the Negev region, and that if procedures were completed early, they could be brought before the Immigration Court the following day.
Adalah’s statement further emphasized that Israel’s attack on the Vicdan and accompanying vessels violated international law. It noted that the majority of those aboard were doctors, nurses, and journalists, and that the mission constituted a humanitarian effort aimed at breaking Israel’s illegal blockade of Gaza.
Turkish Members of Parliament Necmettin Çalışkan from Hatay (Saadet Party), Mehmet Atmaca from Bursa, and Sema Silkin Ün from Denizli (Gelecek Party) are among those detained by Israel. TBMM Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş, in a statement to the General Assembly, called for the immediate release of the three MPs, saying: “There are 21 Turkish citizens on the ship, three of whom are our fellow MPs. Every possible effort is being made to bring them back to Türkiye as soon as possible.”
In a written statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it was stated: “The intervention against the Freedom Flotilla, which set out to break the unlawful and inhumane blockade of Gaza, constitutes an act of piracy. All necessary measures have been initiated to secure the immediate release of the civilian activists, including Turkish citizens.”
On October 9, 2025, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Öncü Keçeli announced that three Turkish members of parliament, who were aboard vessels seized by Israel, had departed for Azerbaijan with the aim of returning to Türkiye. In a social media post, Keçeli stated, “Efforts are ongoing to bring other Turkish citizens back to Türkiye via a special flight tomorrow.”
French National Assembly members Alma Dufour and Farida Amrani from the La France Insoumise (LFI) party, who were aboard the Freedom Flotilla, were released on October 9, 2025. Dufour confirmed Amrani’s release in a post on the social media platform X, adding, “150 crew members, including French MP Melissa Camara, remain in Israeli custody.”
Meanwhile, Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani announced that ten Italian citizens were being detained and called on Israel to “respect the individual rights of our citizens.”
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim condemned the attack, stating, “The seizure of humanitarian aid vessels carrying assistance to the people of Gaza violates fundamental principles of human rights and human dignity.” The Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also reported that efforts are underway to ensure the safety and immediate release of activists, including nine Malaysian citizens.
On the same day, the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that contacts were ongoing with Israeli authorities to secure the release of South Korean citizen Kim Ah-hyun, who had participated in the Freedom Flotilla.
In a statement issued by Hamas, it was asserted that “the Zionist occupation fleet’s detention of Freedom Flotilla activists in international waters constitutes a new act of piracy added to the occupation’s dark record of targeting international solidarity efforts.” The statement emphasized that Israel bears full responsibility for the safety and lives of the detained activists and called on the United Nations and the international community to act immediately.
In the same report, Beheşti İsmail Songür, representative of the Freedom Flotilla in Türkiye, stated that “the Israeli military has once again committed piracy in international waters” and noted that the ship *Vicdan* carried sufficient medical personnel and supplies to operate at least three hospitals in Gaza.
Following these statements, the Adalah organization requested immediate access to meet with approximately 145 activists brought to Ashdod Port; however, it was announced that lawyers were denied entry to the port.
Three Turkish members of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), detained following an Israeli naval operation in international waters on 8 October 2025, have been released. Sema Silkin Ün, Member of Parliament for Denizli from the Yeni Yol Party, Mehmet Atmaca, Member of Parliament for Bursa, and Necmettin Çalışkan, Member of Parliament for Hatay, departed from Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv aboard an Azerbaijan Airlines flight at midday and arrived in Baku. They subsequently traveled from Baku to Istanbul, landing at Istanbul Airport at 22:20.
The MPs were greeted at Istanbul Airport’s VIP lounge by their families, Mahmut Arıkan, General Chairman of the Saadet Party, Ali Babacan, General Chairman of the DEVA Party, Hasan Turan, Chairman of the Turkey–Palestine Interparliamentary Friendship Group and AK Party Member of Parliament for Istanbul, Bülent Kaya, Group Chairman of the Yeni Yol Party, along with party members and citizens.
On the same day, French National Assembly members Alma Dufour and Farida Amrani were also released by Israel. In a statement posted on the social media platform X, operated by the US-based company, Dufour confirmed her and Amrani’s release, adding, “150 crew members including French MP Melissa Camara remain in Israeli custody.” Dufour called for increased pressure on French President Emmanuel Macron and emphasized the need for the immediate release of all other detained activists.
On the morning of 10 October, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Öncü Keçeli stated, “Eighteen of our citizens aboard vessels seized by Israel from the Freedom Flotilla will arrive in our country this afternoon via a special flight. This operation evacuates a total of 94 activists from 21 countries.” Later that day, activists detained aboard vessels belonging to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) after being attacked by Israel in international waters were brought to Türkiye. A special aircraft chartered by Turkish Airlines (THY) departed from Jordan and arrived at Istanbul Airport.
According to information reported by Anadolu Agency, a total of 94 activists—18 Turkish nationals and 76 foreign nationals—were transported to Istanbul. The activists were welcomed at the Istanbul Airport VIP Lounge by their families, select officials, and citizens.
At a reception ceremony held on the apron, Hasan Turan, Chairman of the Turkey–Palestine Interparliamentary Friendship Group and AK Party Member of Parliament for Istanbul, Abdullah Özdemir, AK Party Istanbul Provincial Chairman, and Turkish Airlines officials greeted the activists with flowers. After completing formalities, the activists were transported by bus to the airport entrance.
The Israeli attack on the conscience vessel of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) in international waters on the morning of 8 October 2025 was protested in Ankara. Members of the Ankara Palestine Solidarity Platform (ANFİDAP) gathered outside the US Embassy to condemn the assault. Demonstrators carried banners reading “Total embargo on Israel for a free Palestine” and “Attacks on the Freedom Flotilla, the hope of humanity, are unacceptable.”
Hüseyin Yavuz Öztürk, speaking on behalf of the group, stated that Israel not only continues its attacks on Gaza but also blocks humanitarian aid, thereby “using hunger as a weapon.” Öztürk emphasized that Israel disregards international law despite rulings by the United Nations (UN) and the International Criminal Court (ICC). The statement added, “What has been done to our brothers and sisters aboard the Freedom Flotilla and the Sumud Flotilla is clear. We salute the activists of the Freedom Flotilla and the Sumud resisters.”
Zeynel Abidin Özkan, an activist with the Global Sumud Flotilla who participated in the protest, said, “As all states in the world surrender to Zionism, the blood and tears in Gaza will not cease.” After their statements, the group left the area chanting slogans.
In Istanbul, a large-scale protest was organized in front of the Israeli Consulate General in Levent, led by the Humanitarian Relief Foundation (İHH). Participants, carrying Turkish and Palestinian flags, chanted slogans such as “Murderous Israel will answer for its crimes,” “The Palestinian people are not alone,” and “A thousand greetings from Istanbul to Hamas.”
Mehmet Yaroğlu, President of the Anadolu Youth Association (AGD) Istanbul Branch, stated in a declaration: “If they seize the Mavi Marmara again, we will return with dozens more Mavi Marmaras.” Yaroğlu, honoring the activists who lost their lives during the Mavi Marmara mission, drew attention to the situation of Turkish citizens imprisoned in Israeli jails.
Ferhat Çalışye, General President of the Kevser Education Foundation and an activist with the Sumud Fleet, declared that Gaza is “a symbol of resistance that refuses to submit to oppression.”
Beheşti İsmail Songür, President of the Mavi Marmara Freedom and Solidarity Association, said: “The 92 people aboard the Mavi Marmara and the 55 people on eight other ships accompanying it were taken to the Port of Ashdod. There, their hands were shackled and they were beaten with batons.” Songür added: “This blockade will be broken at sea.”
Mary Ann Wright, an American member of the fleet, retired colonel, and former diplomat, stated: “The goal of everyone on the ships was to break the siege on Gaza and end its starvation.” The event concluded with prayer.
In Bursa, at a demonstration organized by the İHH Bursa Branch at 15 July Democracy Square, numerous people chanted slogans against Israel. Enes Bayram, a member of the İHH Bursa Executive Board, read out a press statement saying: “This morning at 05:34, the Israeli navy attacked the Mavi Marmara with eight warships and helicopters. Ninety-two volunteers were arrested.”
Bayram emphasized that Israel has not recognized any legal rights for the Palestinian people since 1948 and called for the lifting of the siege on Gaza. The event concluded with prayer.
In Çanakkale, approximately 500 people participated in a march organized by the Platform for Support to Palestine under the theme “Consciences Cannot Be Silenced.” After performing the Isha prayer at Necip Paşa Mosque, the participants marched along the Kordon Boyu. Numan Yaşar, President of the İHH Çanakkale Branch, speaking on behalf of the group, said: “Murderous Israel has even turned its weapons against those delivering aid.” After the march, participants prayed and stood a symbolic vigil.
The Israeli attack on the Freedom Flotilla Coalition was protested in several cities across Italy on 9 October 2025. Thousands of people demonstrated in support of the Palestinian people in the capital Rome, as well as in Milan, Naples, and Salerno.
In Rome, a crowd gathered in front of the Colosseum marched with banners reading “We Are Blocking Everything” and “Stop the Genocide.” Participants chanted slogans such as “Freedom for Palestine,” “Free Palestine from River to Sea,” “Zionist State Israel,” and “Meloni Resign.” In Milan, more than five thousand people joined the march, causing traffic disruptions along the procession route.
At 18:30 local time in Republic Square in Paris, demonstrators gathered to protest Israel’s attacks on both the Global Sumud Flotilla and the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. Activists carried banners reading “Macron: Stop the Genocide” and “Free Palestine” and called for the release of all detained activists.
The demonstration included prominent figures such as Rima Hassan, a French Member of Parliament of Palestinian origin in the European Parliament, Emma Fourreau of the AP, Marie Mesmeur of LFI, and doctor André Pascal. Participants drew attention to Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons and released lanterns into the sky.
In London, a commemorative event held outside the Prime Minister’s Office featured candles lit and photographs carried in memory of Palestinians killed in the Gaza Strip. Demonstrators called for a ceasefire, reminding the public that more than 67,000 people have lost their lives in Gaza.
On 12 October 2025, it was announced that all participants from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and the Thousands of Madleen Flotilla had been released. According to a statement by Adalah, all 145 detained activists were released from Israeli prisons and sent back to their countries via Jordan.
The last individuals to be released were two female activists who hold Israeli citizenship as well as citizenship of other countries: Huvevde (Huwaida) Arraf and Zohar Chamberlain Regev. It was reported that these individuals had been held without trial by Israeli police before their release.
Following the release process, the Israeli human rights organization Adalah began collecting evidence of mistreatment experienced during detention. This process has also been monitored by international legal organizations.
The interception of the flotilla in international waters and the forced transfer of passengers to Israel constitute violations of international maritime law and humanitarian law. Human rights organizations have stated that the incident constitutes an international crime due to acts of “armed attack against peaceful civilians” and “seizure of ships carrying humanitarian aid”.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition and the Thousand Madleens initiative set sail from Catania, Italy, in September 2025 to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. The flotilla consisted of approximately 100 people including doctors, journalists, and parliamentarians. On the morning of 8 October 2025, the Israeli navy intervened against the vessels in international waters, 150 nautical miles from Gaza. The ships were seized, passengers were detained, and they were taken to Israeli ports.
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October 6, 2025
Formation Process and Coalition Merger
October 6, 2025
Participants and Vessels
October 6, 2025
Route and Voyage Stages
October 8, 2025
Israel’s Intervention and International Reactions (8 October 2025)
October 8, 2025
Diplomatic and Legal Proceedings Following the Intervention
October 10, 2025
Release and Return of Activists
October 10, 2025
Protests Against Israel’s Attack on the Freedom Flotilla Coalition
October 13, 2025
Release of All Activists (12 October 2025)