LIVE UPDATES: Tracking Madleen Gaza freedom flotilla
The Madleen ship, launched by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), departed June 1 from Catania, Sicily, carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza amid a severe blockade lasting over 90 days. Among the 12 activists on board is climate activist Greta Thunberg.
This is the FFC’s second recent attempt to break 'Israel’s' sea blockade, following the earlier mission halted in early May after the “Conscience” vessel was seriously damaged in what the group described as a drone attack near Malta.
Two French nationals remain jailed in 'Israel'
Two French citizens detained by 'Israeli' authorities after participating in a flotilla aiming to break the blockade on Gaza remain in custody, according to the Adalah Legal Center.
In a statement released Thursday, Adalah said that Pascale Maurieras and Yanis Mhamdi, both from France, are currently being held at Givon Prison under the authority of the 'Israel' Prison Service. The pair are scheduled to be deported on the afternoon of Friday, 13 June, and are expected to meet with their lawyers later today.
Six arrested Madleen crew members on their way to 'Israeli' airport
Six international activists who were detained by 'Israeli' authorities after attempting to sail toward Gaza are now being deported, according to the Adalah rights group.
Adalah said Thursday the individuals had spent more than 72 hours in 'Israeli' custody following the “unlawful interception of the Madleen Freedom Flotilla in international waters.”
"Six volunteers are now being transferred to Ben Gurion Airport for deportation," the group said in a statement.
The detainees include Mark van Rennes (Netherlands), Suayb Ordu (Turkey), Yasemin Acar (Germany), Thiago Avila (Brazil), Reva Viard (France), and Rima Hassan (France). Their deportation is expected to take place late Thursday or early Friday.
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Rima Hassan placed in solitary after writing 'Free Palestine' in cell
French-Palestinian Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan was moved to solitary confinement after writing "Free Palestine" on the walls of her cell. She has since begun a hunger strike in protest.
'Israel' to deport French Flotilla activists this week
France announced that 'Israel' plans to deport several French citizens who were part of the Gaza-bound Freedom Flotilla. The deportations are expected to take place on Thursday and Friday, according to AFP.
'Israel' places 'Madleen' activist Thiago Ávila in solitary confinement
Thiago Ávila, one of the 12 Freedom Flotilla volunteers illegally detained by 'Israeli' forces, has been moved to solitary confinement, his lawyer confirmed. He may face up to seven days in a small, dark, and isolated cell without contact.
Ávila is on his third day of a hunger and water strike protesting his detention conditions and Israeli Occupation’s actions. Eight volunteers remain detained.
Supporters are calling on the Brazilian government to issue an official statement and increase pressure for their release.
Israeli Occupation imposes 100 year ban on Madleen crew
According to Adalah, a Palestinian-run legal center in "Israel" that is representing several of the detained activists from the Madleen, the Israeli Occupation has imposed a 100 year ban on all 12 of the crew members, forbidding them from entering its territories.
Brazilian activist Thiago Ávila begins hunger, water strike
Brazilian human rights defender Thiago Ávila has launched a hunger and water strike after being detained by the Israeli Occupation authorities aboard the Madleen.
The announcement came Tuesday from Adalah, a Palestinian-run legal center in "Israel" that is representing several of the detained activists.
Adalah is demanding the immediate and unconditional release of the detainees, calling for their return to the Madleen to complete their mission of delivering life-saving supplies to Palestinians in Gaza, where famine risks have surged under Israel’s blockade.
Four 'Madleen' activists deported, eight still detained by Israeli Occupation
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) has confirmed that four of the 12 humanitarian volunteers seized in international waters have been deported, while eight remain in 'Israeli' custody.
According to the FFC, Israeli Occupation continues to treat all 12 individuals as though they entered the country illegally, despite having been forcibly taken from international waters and brought into 'Israeli' territory against their will.
Those who refused deportation remain detained and are expected to appear before a tribunal. The coalition's legal team will advocate for their release and their right to resume their mission. The FFC criticized the 'Israeli' legal system, calling it a tool of “apartheid, occupation, and colonization.”
The coalition called for global solidarity, not only with the detained volunteers but also with the thousands of Palestinians currently imprisoned by Israeli Occupation. According to the Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association, as of June 4, 2025, more than 10,400 Palestinians are being held, including over 400 children and more than 3,500 detainees without charge or trial.
Thunberg: Israel kidnapped the Madleen crew in international waters
Greta Thunberg has strongly denounced "Israel's" interception of the Madleen, describing the incident as an "illegal kidnapping" in international waters.
Speaking following her arrival in France, Thunberg detailed her concerns for fellow activists still held in "Israel" and reiterated calls for unimpeded humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip.
Thunberg asserted that their primary objective was to deliver aid and express solidarity with Palestinians. She highlighted that "Israel's" prevention of aid entry into Gaza is "illegal," a stance echoed by many international organizations.
"The Israelis published videos from the perspective of propaganda, but in reality, they kidnapped us, and this is illegal," Thunberg stated, accusing "Israeli" forces of forcibly diverting the vessel to "Israel" after intercepting it in international waters.
The Swedish activist expressed deep concern for the Madleen boat activists who remain in "Israel", demanding their immediate release. "I am very worried about the rest of the volunteers and demand their release," she emphasized.
Thunberg further characterized "Israel's" seizure of the aid ship as "a violation of international rights," reiterating that the Israeli Occupation "carried out an illegal act by kidnapping us in international waters."
Beyond the immediate incident, Thunberg addressed the broader political landscape, arguing that "recognizing the state of Palestine is the least that can be done," and accusing governments of being "complicit with Israel."
She affirmed the ongoing mission of the "Freedom Flotilla" to "break the siege on Gaza due to the systematic starvation practiced by Israel," and vowed that activists "will continue to demand an end to the atrocities committed by Israel."
Greta Thunberg lands in Paris
Greta Thunberg has arrived at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris today after being deported from the Israeli Occupation.
"Israel's thuggish policy exceeded all limits," organization says
The Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) has issued a strong condemnation of 'Israel's' actions concerning the Madleen boat activists, demanding their immediate and unconditional release.
In a statement released today, the DFLP denounced what it described as 'Israel's' "thuggish policy," asserting that such conduct has "exceeded all limits." The front specifically highlighted the alleged "practice of piracy in international waters," calling for an end to these actions and the prompt liberation of the activists.
Al Jazeera’s Omar Faiad believed to be on Paris-bound flight
A plane bound for Paris is believed to be carrying Al Jazeera correspondent Omar Faiad, who was covering the Madleen voyage to break the Gaza blockade, Al Jazeera reported.
Madleen crew refused to watch Oct. 7 footage: Israel Katz
According to "Israeli" sources, "Israeli" officials screened footage of the events of Oct. 7, 2023, to Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and other passengers on board the Gaza-bound vessel Madleen after it was intercepted by the "Israeli" Navy and brought to Ashdod on Monday.
Defense Minister Israel Katz claimed the activists refused to continue watching the material. “These antisemitic flotilla activists closed their eyes to the truth and once again proved they prefer the murderers over the victims,” he said. “They continue to ignore the atrocities committed by Hamas against Jewish and Israeli women, the elderly, and children.”
"Israel" says activist Greta Thunberg on flight to Sweden via France
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has left the Israeli Occupation, according to "Israeli" authorities.
Thunberg, who was among those intercepted aboard the Gaza-bound vessel, was brought to Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport for deportation. On Tuesday, "Israel’s" foreign ministry confirmed her departure.
The ministry stated on its official X account, “Greta Thunberg is departing Israel on a flight to France,” posting two images showing the 22-year-old on board a plane.
Greta Thunberg just departed Israel on a flight to Sweden (via France). pic.twitter.com/kWrI9KVoqX
— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) June 10, 2025
Kidnapped Madleen crew held at Ben Gurion Airport, facing deportation
A group of 11 international activists and one journalist who were detained aboard the Madleen are currently being held at a detention facility near Ben Gurion International Airport, according to Adalah, the legal center representing them.
In a statement, Adalah said the group is expected to appear before authorities for deportation proceedings before being returned to their countries of origin.
“After multiple requests to meet with the volunteers, Adalah’s legal team has arrived at the airport and is expected to meet with them shortly. Diplomatic representatives are also scheduled to meet with them,” the statement added.
The "Israeli" Foreign Ministry confirmed the detainees had “arrived at Ben Gurion Airport to depart from Israel and return to their home countries.” It noted that some individuals are “expected to leave within the next few hours.”
The passengers of the “Selfie Yacht” arrived at Ben Gurion Airport to depart from Israel and return to their home countries.
— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) June 10, 2025
Some of the “Selfie Yacht” passengers are expected to leave within the next few hours.
Those who refuse to sign deportation documents and leave Israel will… pic.twitter.com/szEHmd0rS0
However, for those who do not consent to deportation, the ministry said, “those who refuse to sign deportation documents and leave Israel will be brought before a judicial authority, in accordance with Israeli law, to authorize their deportation. Consuls from the passengers’ home countries met them at the airport,” it added.
Madleen reaches Ashdod port after interception by “Israeli” forces: AFP
The Gaza-bound Madleen boat carrying 12 activists and humanitarian supplies reached “Israel's” Ashdod port on Monday, north of the blockaded Gaza Strip, after being intercepted by “Israeli” forces, according to AFP.
“Israel's” navy escorted the Madleen, which organisers said was intercepted in international waters overnight, to the “Israeli port”, reaching Ashdod at around 8:45 pm (17:45 GMT).
“Israeli” defense minister commends army for diverting Madleen aid boat
“Israel's” Defense Minister Israel Katz commends the military for "the swift and safe takeover of the Madleen", a Gaza-bound aid boat, preventing the activists on board -- including Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg -- from reaching the blockaded Palestinian territory.
Sweden claims "no danger to Madleen activists, no support needed"
Sweden’s Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said Monday that Greta Thunberg and 11 other activists illegally detained by 'Israeli' forces are not in danger and do not require consular support, according to Swedish media.
She added that the activists "bear personal responsibility," as Sweden had long advised against travel to Gaza.
Thunberg, who recorded a video before her detention, said the group was “kidnapped in international waters” and urged pressure on Sweden’s government to secure their release.
Spain summons 'Israeli' diplomat over interception of Madleen
Israeli Occupation's chargé d'affaires in Madrid was summoned Monday by the Spanish Foreign Ministry for a formal reprimand, according to Hebrew Channel 7.
'Israel' prepares prison cells for detained Madleen activists
Israeli Occupation’s prison service announced Monday it is ready to receive detainees from the Madleen ship, which was intercepted by 'Israeli' forces off the coast of Gaza.
According to Israel Hayom, separate cells have been prepared in Givon Prison in Ramla, following orders by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir to ban communication devices, radios, televisions, and any Palestinian symbols.
The Madleen is protected by international law and was legally allowed to reach Gaza.
