Freedom Flotilla Boat ‘Madleen’ Boarded by Israeli Forces Amid Tense Standoff at Sea

Security footage from the Gaza-bound aid vessel Madleen, released by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, captures the dramatic moment Israeli forces boarded the ship. Bright lights flashed and loud screeching noises filled the air, prompting some passengers to cover their ears.

In the video, Brazilian activist Thiago Ávila can be heard urgently telling others to dispose of their phones: “Ditch your phones… phones in the water.” Moments later, a device is seen being thrown overboard, followed by a laptop. Ávila then instructs the group to “assume positions” and signals with a thumbs up toward someone outside the vessel—possibly from another boat.

Speaking into a phone, he says, “We are being boarded now… it’s very important you know, no one is wounded now. No one was wounded when they boarded our boat.” A woman’s voice adds, “If anything happens to us, this is a war crime.”

Despite the situation, the atmosphere remains composed. Crew members are seen with their hands raised. Around three and a half minutes into the video, another vessel appears in the background. A voice off-camera urges, “Calm down… calm down everyone.”

Soon after, Israeli military personnel board the Madleen, crouch, and engage with one of the passengers. The video ends shortly thereafter. It’s unclear whether the broadcast was cut or if only a portion of the footage was shared.

The incident highlights that the aid ship’s crew sought to avoid any violent confrontation with Israeli forces during the boarding.

Who Was Aboard the Madleen?

Twelve activists and crew members were onboard when the vessel departed from Sicily on June 1, including:

• Greta Thunberg – Swedish climate activist

• Rima Hassan – Member of the European Parliament, born in a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria

• Yasemin Acar – German activist of Kurdish descent

• Thiago Ávila – Coordinator of Freedom Flotilla Brazil and Steering Committee member

• Yanis Mhamdi – Journalist and director at French outlet Blast

• Omar Faiad – Al Jazeera Mubasher correspondent

• Sergio Toribio – Representative of marine NGO Sea Shepherd

• Baptiste Andre – French doctor and activist

• Suayb Ordu – Turkish activist

• Mark van Rennes – Dutch engineering student

• Reva Viard – French citizen

• Pascal Maurieras – Experienced Freedom Flotilla participant

The incident has drawn global attention due to the high-profile names aboard and the sensitive nature of the mission to break the Gaza blockade.