On June 9, 2025, Israeli naval forces intercepted the Madleen, a Freedom Flotilla Coalition vessel carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, in international waters 160km from the coast. The 12 activists aboard, including Greta Thunberg and French MEP Rima Hassan, were detained and are being taken to Ashdod port for interrogation. The coalition condemned the seizure as a violation of international law, asserting that Israel’s actions defy ICJ orders for unimpeded aid access to Gaza. The ship, carrying medicine, flour, and baby formula, had its cargo confiscated. Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz justified the interception, claiming the activists support Hamas and will be shown videos of the October 7, 2023, attack.

The Madleen, named after Gaza’s first fisherwoman, departed Sicily on June 1. En route, it rescued four Sudanese migrants fleeing Libyan authorities. The coalition demands the activists’ immediate release, citing the unlawful detention.