According to reports, IDF forces raided the ship at sea and arrested everyone on board. The organization that launched the flotilla announced that contact with the ship "Madelen" had been severed.
Arab media outlets reported that the IDF took control of the ship Madelen last night (Monday) as it made its way to Gaza. According to the report, all the pro-Palestinian activists on board were arrested.
Shortly before the takeover, the Israeli Foreign Ministry issued a harsh statement against the flotilla's participants, stating that it was a "flotilla of celebrities who came for selfies." The Foreign Ministry warned those who came that "an attempt to break the siege is dangerous and illegal."
Earlier, an alarm was sounded on board the ship and the pro-Palestinian activists on board, and they announced that they were preparing for the possibility of an attempted takeover.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry defines the flotilla as a media gimmick and publishes the following statement:
"Regarding the recent reports of a 'celebrity yacht' on its way to Gaza, the Foreign Ministry wishes to clarify the following:
The maritime area off the coast of Gaza is closed to unauthorized vessels as part of a legal naval blockade, in accordance with international law.
The yacht claims to be providing humanitarian aid. In fact, it is a media gimmick for publicity purposes (involving less than one aid truck) - it is a 'selfie yacht.'
Humanitarian aid is being delivered regularly and effectively through various channels and routes, and is being delivered through established distribution mechanisms. Over the past two weeks, more than 1,200 aid trucks have entered Gaza from Israel. The Gaza Humanitarian Fund has distributed nearly 11 million meals directly to civilians in Gaza.
The Gaza maritime zone remains an active conflict zone, and Hamas has previously exploited sea lanes for terrorist attacks, including the October 7 massacre.
Unauthorized attempts to breach the blockade are dangerous, illegal, and undermine ongoing humanitarian efforts.
We call on all parties to act responsibly and channel humanitarian aid through legitimate and coordinated mechanisms, not through provocations."
Israel confirms: Our forces boarded the boat.