In June of 2025, amidst the ongoing siege of Gaza, unarmed activists set sail on the Madleen to Gaza, hoping to provide aid and reignite global awareness. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition created the Gaza freedom flotilla with the intention of breaking the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip. A flotilla is defined as a fleet of boats or ships. They hope to provide aid in response to the famine and humanitarian crisis going on in the Strip.
The Madleen departed from Catania, Sicily on June first, 2025 and contained baby formula, 220 lbs of flour, 550 lbs of rice, diapers, medical kits, crutches and more (https://www.codepink.org/two_flotillas_one_mission). Early June 9 in international waters, Israeli forces intercepted and attacked with chemical spray before boarding and seizing the ship, preventing them from reaching Gaza. The 12 people on board were then detained in Israel for a day before they were deported on June 10. (https://www.codepink.org/two_flotillas_one_mission)
After the initial failure, a new flotilla wave headed toward Gaza with food and medical supplies on board, departing from Italy on September 27. Made up of 96 boats and participants from 47 different countries, they were again stopped in international waters by Israeli forces on October second. 462 participants on 39 boats were arrested, kidnapped and as of October 6, 2025 they are still awaiting deportation. “The passengers are expected to be deported promptly.” The Israeli government stated on air. (https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyn9qp9v11o)
One vessel was able to enter the waters of Gaza, the first boat to do so since 2008. The ship labeled the Mikeno lost contact after entering Palestinian territorial waters (https://globalsumudflotilla.org/media/press/Interception_Update_10_1.pdf). Israel has thwarted all previous flotillas since 2010. For the past 18 years the Gaza freedom flotilla coalition has attempted to use ships to carry citizens from all over the world into Gaza to challenge the violence of the Israeli government.
