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Libyan Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Libyan Express
Maritime aid vessel encounters technical difficulties near Gaza coast
BY Libyan Express Jun 08, 2025 - 19:31 Updated: Jun 08, 2025 - 19:31 Israel preparing to intercept aid vessel 'Madleen' before it enters Gaza waters: Israeli media The cargo ship Madleen, operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, is experiencing communications disruptions as it approaches Gaza's coastal waters. The vessel carries 12 international volunteers and humanitarian supplies, according to the International Committee to Break the Siege on Gaza. The ship is currently several kilometres from its stated destination. Crew members report ongoing technical issues with navigation and communication equipment. Aerial surveillance has been observed in the area for multiple hours. Dr Baptiste André, a French medical professional aboard the vessel, confirmed the crew maintains contact with the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other international organisations. The ship transports approximately one tonne of medical equipment. Environmental activist Greta Thunberg, also travelling with the mission, stated the crew anticipates reaching Gaza within one to two days. She called for the establishment of humanitarian corridors and the lifting of maritime restrictions around Gaza. Israeli authorities have announced plans to intercept the vessel before it enters what they designate as Israeli territorial waters. Israel Hayom reported that naval forces conducted exercises off the Ashdod coast in preparation for potential maritime operations. Defence Minister Yoav Gallant authorised military personnel to prevent the Madeleine from reaching Gaza, citing the blockade as necessary to prevent weapons smuggling to Hamas. Israeli officials characterise the mission as politically motivated rather than purely humanitarian. Video footage circulated online shows Israeli youth on a boat making hostile comments directed at Thunberg and the crew members. The individuals in the video disputed the mission's humanitarian objectives. The Madeleine is the 36th vessel in the Freedom Flotilla initiative, an international campaign that began in 2010 to challenge the naval blockade around Gaza. The ship departed from Catania, Italy, in early June. It is named after Madeleine Kulab, a Gaza fisher who died with her father during military operations in the territory in October 2023. The views expressed in Op-Ed pieces are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Libyan Express. How to submit an Op-Ed: Libyan Express accepts opinion articles on a wide range of topics. Submissions may be sent to oped@ Please include 'Op-Ed' in the subject line.
Al Bawaba
2 days ago
- Politics
- Al Bawaba
Madeleine ship bound for Gaza faces serious Israeli threat just miles from shore
Published June 8th, 2025 - 03:15 GMT ALBAWABA - As it gets closer to the Gaza shore, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition's aid vessel, the Madeleine, is apparently encountering significant Israeli signal jamming. The International Committee to Break the Siege on Gaza said the ship, which is transporting 12 international activists and humanitarian aid, is only a few kilometers away from its final destination. Also Read On its way to Gaza, the freedom flotilla faces unseen challenges Israeli drones have been flying above for hours, raising concerns among people on board, the committee said on social media. The crew continues to sail in spite of the danger, sending a strong message of support for Gaza: "You are not alone." Israeli soldiers are allegedly interfering with the ship's navigation and communication systems, which the organization describes as "dangerous." In order to follow the ship's path, they have provided a tracking URL and asked people to disseminate it all across the world. Al Jazeera was informed by French physician Baptiste André, who is on board the ship, that correspondence is continuing with the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other international organizations. According to André, the ship is promoting an end to the Israeli siege of Gaza while also transporting a symbolic one-ton consignment of medical help. Greta Thunberg, an environmental activist who is also on board, said that the crew's goal is to arrive in Gaza in the next day or two. She warned that international inaction in the face of Gaza's suffering would be "the worst-case scenario," underscoring the need of lifting the embargo and creating humanitarian corridors. Israel's Defense Minister has once again threatened unlawful force against civilians, attempting to justify violence with baseless smears. We will not be intimidated. The 'Madleen' is a peaceful civilian vessel, unarmed and sailing in international waters with humanitarian aid… — Freedom Flotilla Coalition (@GazaFFlotilla) June 8, 2025 Israeli authorities have responded by promising to halt the ship before it reaches what they refer to as "Israeli territorial waters." Israel Hayom claims that in anticipation of a possible interception, the Israeli Navy has practiced off the Ashdod coast. Yoav Gallant, the defense minister, said that he gave military personnel orders to keep Madeleine out of Gaza, saying the embargo is required to prevent weapons from getting to Hamas. He accused the activists of having anti-Israel sentiments and rejected the ship's purpose. An internet video that depicts a bunch of Israeli kids on a boat threatening Greta Thunberg and the crew has also provoked concern. The kids made fun of her humanitarian endeavors and charged her with aiding "terrorism." The Madeleine, the 36th ship in the Freedom Flotilla, an international effort started in 2010 to protest Israel's naval siege of Gaza, sailed from the port of Catania, Italy, in early June. The vessel bears the name of Madeleine Kulab, the first female professional fisherwoman in Gaza, who perished in the Israeli attack on the enclave in October 2023 along with her father. © 2000 - 2025 Al Bawaba (
Saba Yemen
6 days ago
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
French Doctor Aboard 'Freedom Flotilla': We will continue our Journey to Gaza despite Israeli threats
Rome – SABA: French physician Baptiste André, one of the participants in the Freedom Flotilla, affirmed that the Israeli enemy's stance in preventing the ships from reaching the Gaza Strip was not surprising, but rather expected from the start. André stated that participants in the flotilla are determined to continue their journey to break the blockade imposed on Gaza, despite repeated Israeli threats, according to Sanad News Agency. He added, 'We count on the support of the international community to continue this humanitarian mission. We receive daily messages of solidarity and support from around the world, confirming the justice of our cause and the need to end the blockade imposed on the Strip.' The 'Madeleine' ship, part of the international Freedom Flotilla Coalition, set sail last Sunday from the port of Catania on the Italian island of Sicily, carrying humanitarian aid intended for the besieged Gaza Strip. Organizers of the initiative hope that the ship — whose journey is expected to take about seven days — will reach its destination despite the threats, carrying a message of solidarity with Gaza's population and a clear call to end the Israeli blockade that has lasted for over 17 years and to stop the ongoing genocide against civilians. Along the approximately 2,000-kilometer route, international activists continue their journey for the third consecutive day aboard the ship, amid expectations of intervention by the Israeli army. They are calling for international and public protection to ensure their safe arrival on Gaza's shores. With American and European support, the Israeli enemy's army has committed acts of genocide in the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, resulting in the martyrdom of 54,607 Palestinians — the majority of whom are women and children — and the injury of 125,341 others, according to incomplete figures, as thousands of victims remain under rubble and in streets, unreachable by rescue teams. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print
