Overview

• The Madleen departed from Catania on June 1 and is currently sailing south of Crete after diverting to assist a distressed boat near Libya.
• IDF spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin said Israel is “prepared” to act against the flotilla, citing experience from past Freedom Flotilla confrontations.
• The ship carries a symbolic load of essential supplies, including milk, baby formula, water filters and protein bars, for civilians in Gaza.
• Gaza’s more than two million residents face critical shortages and warnings of famine under a naval blockade maintained by Israel since 2007.
• Live tracking shows the flotilla is expected to reach Gaza around June 7, though its approach may provoke Israeli intervention.