Madleen surrounded by quadcopters, Freedom Flotilla Coalition affirms
“Quadcopters are circling the ship and spraying it with a white irritant substance,” the Freedom Flotilla Coalition reported on their Telegram channel.
“Communications are being jammed, and there are disturbing sounds over the radio.”
The group later announced that the Israeli military had boarded the vessel.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry stated that the Israeli Navy had contacted the aid ship, referring to it as the “selfie yacht.”
“Via an international civilian communication platform, the Israeli Navy instructed the “selfie yacht” to change its course, due to its approach toward a restricted zone,” the ministry noted on X.
Accompanying the statement was a video purportedly showcasing an Israeli official stating, “The naval zone off the coast of Gaza is closed to maritime traffic. It’s part of the… naval blockade. If you aim to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, you may do so through the port of Ashdod via the established channels…”
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Welcome to our coverage
A ship carrying humanitarian supplies to the Gaza Strip is nearing the Palestinian territory, which is under an Israeli blockade.
Besides essential supplies, the British-flagged Madleen is carrying climate advocate Greta Thunberg and several other activists.
As it drew near to Gaza early on Monday morning, those on board the Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s ship reported coming under attack by Israeli forces and being surrounded by quadcopters.
Israel’s Navy has stated that it instructed the aid ship to change course.
On Sunday, Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that he had ordered the military to halt the ship from reaching Gaza, cautioning “the anti-Semitic Greta and her Hamas-propagating friends” to turn back.
We will provide the latest updates on the situation in Gaza and the broader Middle East on Monday, June 9, 2025.
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