10.06.2025 08:10
The 'Madleen' ship, seized by the Israeli army during a raid in international waters, has been brought to Ashdod Port. The 12 activists on board will be taken to a detention center if they refuse to leave Israel. Those who agree to leave Israel will be sent to their countries from Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv.
The Madleen ship, which set out to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and was stopped and seized by Israeli forces in international waters, was escorted by Israeli warships to Israel's Ashdod Port.
This sailing vessel, belonging to the "Freedom Flotilla Coalition" (FFC), which aims to bring hope to the people of Gaza struggling with hunger under Israeli attacks and blockade, had its journey in the Mediterranean terminated by the Israeli navy. It was also observed that the Palestinian flags on the Madleen ship, which was seized by Israel, were removed.
In an intervention that took place at night, Israeli naval commandos raided the Madleen ship, and 12 activists on board were detained.
12 ACTIVISTS TO BE BROUGHT TO COURT
It has been reported that the 12 activists represented by the Arab Minority Rights Legal Center in Israel will most likely be brought to court.
IF THEY DO NOT LEAVE ISRAEL IMMEDIATELY, THEY WILL BE TAKEN TO DETENTION CENTER
It has been reported that the 12 activists detained on the Madleen ship carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza will be taken to the detention center in Ramle if they "refuse to leave immediately" from Israel. The Arab Minority Rights Legal Center (Adalah) in Israel made a statement citing information provided by Israeli authorities regarding the activists' situation. The statement noted that all volunteers are at the Usdud (Ashdod) Port and will be handed over to the Israeli Immigration Administration officials.
VOLUNTEERS WHO ACCEPT TO LEAVE ISRAEL WILL BE SENT BACK TO THEIR COUNTRIES
The statement indicated that volunteers from the Madleen ship who agree to leave Israel may be sent back to their countries from Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport tonight. It was noted that "activists who refuse to leave immediately" will be taken to the detention center in Ramle.
It was reported that Adalah lawyers would request to meet with the activists before any transfer or deportation process. The Israel Hayom newspaper claimed that the activists would be held in separate cells at the Givon Prison in Ramle.
UN CALLS ON THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY
United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on Palestine Francesca Albanese called for the immediate release of the Madleen ship. In a statement on her social media account, Albanese said, "Every Mediterranean port should send boats carrying aid, solidarity, and humanity to Gaza. They will sail together, and together they will become unstoppable."
Albanese drew attention to the humanitarian crisis created by Israel in Gaza and the blockade that hinders aid efforts, stating, "Breaking the blockade is a legal obligation for states and a moral imperative for all of us," calling on the international community to take action.
WHAT WAS ONBOARD THE MADLEEN?
On the Madleen ship were names such as Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament (EP), Yasemin Acar from Germany, Hüseyin Şuayb Ordu from Turkey, Thiago Avila from Brazil, Sergio Toribio from Spain, Marco van Rennes from the Netherlands, Baptiste Andre, Reva Viard, Pascal Maurieras, and Yanis Mhamdi from France, Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, and journalist Omar Faiad.
The ship was carrying urgent humanitarian aid that is vital for the people of Gaza. This aid included items such as baby formula, flour, rice, diapers, women's hygiene products, water purification kits, medical supplies, crutches, and children's prosthetics.