Madleen ship faces Israeli threats as it approaches Gaza coast
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The Freedom Flotilla ship, Madleen, carrying aid to Gaza is expected to reach Palestinian waters within 24 hours, as Israeli occupation forces prepare possible military action to stop it.
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Climate activist Greta Thunberg boards the Madleen boat before setting sail for Gaza along with activists of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, departing from the Sicilian port of Catania, Italy, on June 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Salvatore Cavalli)
Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan, speaking from aboard the Gaza-bound Freedom Flotilla ship Madleen, announced that the vessel is expected to reach Palestinian territorial waters within the next 24 hours. The ship is carrying humanitarian aid intended for the besieged Gaza Strip.
Hassan, who is part of the mission to break the blockade, emphasized the urgent need for aid delivery to Gaza and reaffirmed the flotilla’s commitment to peacefully reaching its destination.
'Israel' vows to block humanitarian vessel
Israeli media cited a security official who explained that Madleen was located approximately 300 kilometers from the shores of Gaza. "We will decide what to do with it... and it will not reach Gaza," the official was quoted as saying.
Israeli reports indicated that the occupation military is expected to intercept the vessel before it reaches Palestinian waters. However, sources noted that the presence of a European diplomat on board has thus far delayed any direct military action.
Despite no final decision being publicly announced, Israeli military sources told the Walla news website that naval units, including Shayetet 13, an elite naval commando unit, and missile boat divisions, are preparing for the possibility of launching a commando operation to intercept the ship and arrest those on board.
The situation remains fluid, with surveillance and readiness measures underway as the ship continues its approach toward Gaza.
Hope for Gaza
The Madleen is part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, an international effort aiming to challenge the years-long siege imposed by "Israel" on the Gaza Strip. Previous flotillas attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza have been intercepted by Israeli occupation forces, often in international waters and sometimes with deadly outcomes.
The Freedom Flotilla’s latest mission comes amid a catastrophic humanitarian crisis in Gaza, compounded by months of blockade, military aggression, and lack of access to basic supplies. The ship’s progress is being closely monitored by international observers and rights organizations.
The Madleen entered Egyptian waters on Saturday and was steadily approaching the besieged Palestinian territory.
The flotilla seeks to deliver urgently needed supplies to Palestinians and to confront what the coalition has called "Israel's illegal, decades-long blockade and ongoing genocide."
"We are now sailing off the Egyptian coast," said German human rights activist Yasemin Acar in a statement to AFP. "We are all good," she added.
The Madleen is transporting vital humanitarian goods: baby formula, flour, rice, diapers, feminine hygiene products, medical kits, water desalination tools, crutches, and children's prosthetics. These supplies are destined for Gaza's civilian population, which continues to suffer under "Israel's" blockade, with aid deliveries frequently obstructed, attacked, or delayed, worsening an already catastrophic humanitarian crisis.
