GAZA, June 9, 2025 (WAFA) – Israeli occupation forces intercepted the ship Madleen early Monday morning as it carried international activists and pro-Palestinian supporters attempting to break the blockade on the Gaza Strip.

According to a statement posted by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition on Telegram, contact was lost with the vessel as Israeli forces boarded it. The group reported that Israeli navy boats had surrounded the ship, while low-flying drones hovered overhead, creating a tense atmosphere among those on board.

Earlier live footage from the ship showed visible distress among passengers as military vessels approached. The Madleen was part of a broader effort by international activists to challenge the blockade that has severely restricted movement and access to goods in Gaza for years.

Among the 12-strong crew were Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg and Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament.

M.N