As Israel's Navy seized the Gaza-bound Freedom Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) aid boat 'Madleen', the crew and activists onboard the vessel said the commandoes unlawfully boarded the vessel and abducted its unarmed crew before confiscating its life-saving cargo including baby formula, food and medical supplies.
A few minutes before the Israelis boarded the vessel, which was reportedly still in international waters, the crew claimed they were attacked by drones that sprayed a white irritant substance on the boat.
"Quadcopters are surrounding the ship, spraying it with a white paint-like substance. Communications are jammed, and disturbing sounds are being played over the radio," FFC said on its Telegram channel.
🚨URGENT | The Israeli army has boarded the Freedom Flotilla Madleen, taken control, and cut off communications!!! pic.twitter.com/GphcXGN8C5
— Martyrs of Gaza (@GazaMartyrs) June 9, 2025
Yasemin Ajar, a German pro-Palestinian activist, claimed two boats came close to the ship, which she claimed was "psychological warfare".
Acar said the boats came about 200 meters close to the vessel, following which they had to sound an alarm warning of a possible interception.
Ajar later told Qatar-based Al Araby TV. "If you don’t hear from us soon, it means communication has been cut," she said.
Another activist Thiago Avila claimed they were "surrounded by many lights all at once". "They were circling our boat but in the end they kept going their own way," the voice note said.
Activist Dr. Baptiste Andrée, another crew member, told Al Jazeera that drones are flying overhead at high altitudes for hours. "We’re in constant contact with various parties, including the French Foreign Ministry. We’re carrying a symbolic amount of medical aid. Our demand is simple: end the blockade on Gaza."
They must be released as soon as possible#GazaFreedomFlotilla pic.twitter.com/UeBhrSLkBx
— Joakim 🌹🇳🇴🇪🇺 (@joakial_) June 9, 2025
The FFC also shared a video showing the crew wearing life vests in the moment before 'Madleen' was seized. They were made to hold their hands in the air and throw their phones in the water.
However, Israel attempted to downplay the mission, dismissing it as a "selfie yatch". "The 'selfie yacht' of the 'celebrities' is safely making its way to the shores of Israel. The passengers are expected to return to their home countries," the ministry wrote, adding that "all passengers were safe and unharmed."
"They were provided with sandwiches and water. The show is over."
The Foreign Ministry said the seized aid would be taken to Gaza. "The tiny amount of aid that was on the yacht and not consumed by the 'celebrities' will be transferred to Gaza through real humanitarian channels," the statement added.
