Source: Amnesty International –
On 1 June 2025, 12 people set sail on the Madleen with the goal of breaking Israel’s unlawful blockade on the occupied Gaza Strip and delivering desperately needed food and medical supplies to Gaza.
For almost 18 years, Israeli authorities have maintained an unlawful blockade of Gaza that restricts access to essential supplies and services. On 2 March 2025, they tightened the blockade and in doing so, imposed a total siege on Gaza. Israel’s use of starvation of civilians and siege tactics are part of a calculated plan to bring about the physical destruction of Palestinians in Gaza. This is genocide.
The Madleen and its crew attempted to challenge Israel’s genocide and this cruel and inhumane policy of using starvation of civilians as a method of warfare and collective punishment. They were unarmed and acting with full accordance with international and maritime law. And yet, eight days into their mission, they were intercepted in international waters and unlawfully detained by Israeli forces. Their detention is arbitrary and without any legal basis.
Israel’s actions against the flotilla are yet another demonstration of how far it will go to silence global solidary with Palestinians and continue its genocide and inhuman and collective punishment of Palestinians in Gaza.