[News] Gaza Freedom Flotilla reaches Egyptian coast

[Anti-Imperialist News]

 Gaza Freedom Flotilla reaches Egyptian coast

Israeli authorities have pledged to halt the Madleen, which is transporting
a dozen activists seeking to breach the siege of Gaza

News Desk <https://thecradle.co/authors/news-desk-9>

JUN 7, 2025 -
https://thecradle.co/articles/gaza-freedom-flotilla-reaches-egyptian-coast
(Photo credit: Getty Images)

The Madleen ship, carrying 12 activists, including environmental activist
Greta Thunberg, reached the Egyptian coast on 7 June en route to Gaza with
the aim of breaking Israel’s naval blockade of the strip.

Launched
<https://thecradle.co/articles/gaza-freedom-flotilla-sets-sail-from-italy-with-greta-thunberg-susan-sarandon-onboard>
by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) from Sicily on 1 June, the small
vessel is carrying a limited amount of humanitarian aid to the starving
population of Gaza.

On board are rights advocates, lawmakers, and medical volunteers, including
European Parliament member Rima Hassan, who has urged governments to
“guarantee safe passage” for the vessel, warning that an Israeli
interception would violate international humanitarian law.

“We are now sailing off the Egyptian coast. We are all good,” German human
rights activist Yasemin Acar told AFP by phone on 8 June.

The Madleen set sail about one month after an Israeli drone strike targeted
<https://thecradle.co/articles/israeli-drone-bombs-gaza-freedom-flotilla-near-malta-coast>
another flotilla vessel, the Conscience, forcing Cyprus and Malta to
dispatch rescue ships.

Organizers from the London-based International Committee for Breaking the
Siege of Gaza have warned that any attempt to stop the Madleen would
constitute “a blatant violation of international humanitarian law.”

Despite this, Israeli officials have publicly stated that the Madleen will
not be allowed to reach Gaza, with reports in Israeli media quoting
military sources saying the vessel will be intercepted
<https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-navy-gears-up-to-block-high-profile-protest-ship-headed-for-gaza/?utm_campaign=most_popular&utm_source=website&utm_me>
before entering the coastal enclave’s territorial waters. However, there
has been no formal statement on the timing or location of the planned
interception.

In previous cases, Israeli forces have boarded and seized similar ships,
towing them to the port of Ashdod and detaining
<https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-deports-activists-on-womens-boat-for-gaza/>
the activists on board.

“We are not violating any law. On the contrary, we are standing up for
humanitarian law,” Acar said in a live update from the ship.
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