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Madleen flotilla on ‘final approach’ to Gaza

Madleen, the Gaza aid ship launched by Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), is approaching the Gaza Strip even as it is facing clear threats from Israel, the organisers said.

Sunday June 8, 2025 8:17 PM, ummid.com with inputs from Agencies

Mediterranean Sea: Madleen, the Gaza aid ship launched by Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) last Sunday, is approaching the Gaza Strip even as it is facing clear threats from Israel, the organisers said.

The French member of the European Parliament, Rima Hassan, currently on board the Freedom Flotilla Coalition ship bound for the Gaza Strip in a post on X said she feared the Israeli army to intercept the activists as they approach the coastline.

She also claimed that Israel would deploy a missile boat and an elite commando force to stop their mission.

"Drones have been flying overhead at high altitude for hours", aptiste Andre, a French physician and activist on the Madleen ship heading to Gaza, told Al Jazeera.

Seeking international support for the Gaza flotilla, the activists said, "Communication on the Freedom Flotilla has started to jam. We are approximately 160 nautical miles from Gaza. Help us break the blockade."

Appeals have also been made to French President Macron to intervene.

"We are taking aid to Gaza, not weapons. You must intervene for the safe passage of the vessel", the activists onboard Madleem said.

Madleen, the Gaza aid ship launched by Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), had Saturday crossed the Egyptian coast.

The vessel is carrying 12 international activists including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, and French-Palestinian Member of European Parliament Rima Hassan.

The Madleen flotilla started its journey from Catania in Italy on June 1, 2025. It was scheduled to reach Gaza on Saturday June 07, 2025. However, it got delayed due to persistent threat from the Israeli forces.

Israeli threats

Named after the first Palestinian fisherwman Madleen Kulab who ran her father’s fishing business after he was injured in a 2009 Israeli attack, the Gaza flotilla was launched a month after Conscience flotilla was destroyed by Israel.

Conscience flotilla was attacked by Israeli drones in European waters on May 2, 2025, in violation of international law, where it remains stranded.

Madleen FFC aid ship too was targeted by Israeli drones at least two times in the last three days. The Zionist regime in Israel has announced to forcibly stop the aid ship.

"The humanitarian aid ship Flotilla, en route to Gaza, is currently under threat from the Israeli military. Israel has announced its intention to intercept the vessel, placing the lives of the human rights activists on board in serious danger", the group said.

"Protected Vessel"

The activists onboard the aid ship have called on the international powers, including the United Kingdom for its protection. The Madleen is a UK flagged civilian ship and is protected under international maritime law.

In a statement Saturday, the group said it was in contact with international legal and human rights bodies to ensure the safety of those on board, warning that any interception would constitute “a blatant violation of international humanitarian law.”

As per the Freedom Flotilla FFC Tracker, Madleen aid ship is closing in on Gaza Strip, and if all goes well, will reach the besieged Palestinian enclave Sunday June 08, 2025.

However, the Israeli Navy is expected to block the vessel should it enter Israel’s territorial waters. Clashes aboard the Madleen would likely spark public and diplomatic outrage, The Times of Israel reported.

As per the latest update, Israel Defence Minister Israel Katz Sunday ordered the military to block the aid boat headed for Gaza with 12 activists on board, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg.

The Madleen aims to challenge the latest blockade of Gaza enforced since March 18, 2025. The blockade has left over 2 million Palestinians starving.

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