Overview

• The Israeli military intercepted the Madleen in international waters on June 9 and diverted it to the port of Ashdod.
• Twelve activists aboard, including Greta Thunberg and MEP Rima Hassan, were detained and flown to Ben Gurion Airport for processing.
• Five French activists have refused to sign repatriation forms and are awaiting forced expulsion hearings while held at a detention center near Tel Aviv.
• Israel defended the operation as necessary to enforce the Gaza maritime blockade and prevent arms smuggling to Hamas.
• Human rights groups and French left-wing parties condemned the interception as illegal under international law, prompting protests across France.