The Madleen ship, which set sail to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, was attacked by Israeli forces in international waters. Departing from Sicily, Italy, on June 1, 2025, the ship was on a peaceful mission and carried activists from several countries, including Germany, Turkey, France, Sweden, and Brazil.

The ship’s departure resonated strongly with people of conscience around the world. As it approached Palestinian waters, Israeli authorities began issuing statements that the vessel would not be allowed to proceed.

In the following days, the Israeli military intervened in international waters. Communication systems were cut, and activists were forcibly detained. Before being towed to the port of Ashdod, all those onboard were taken into custody.

In the initial days, the detained volunteers underwent interrogation processes. Some countries initiated diplomatic efforts to secure the release of their citizens. As a result, several activists were deported swiftly, while others remained in detention for days.

Among those held the longest were Mark van Rennes, Pascal Maureiras, and Yanis Mhamdi. Their detention was extended due to Israel’s closure of its airports following Iranian strikes, which were cited as a reason for national airspace security concerns. This prevented the final three activists from being deported in a timely manner.

Finally, after intense diplomatic negotiations and growing international pressure, the three activists—unlawfully detained—were released and transferred to Jordan. From there, they were able to return to their respective countries.