The Freedom Flotilla Coalition announced that the Israeli army boarded its ship Madleen, which was headed to Gaza, and contact was lost.

Israel says it enforced a lawful blockade in the international waters where it seized a flotilla carrying aid and activists bound for Gaza. But the seizure likely violates international laws.

The Madleen ship, launched by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), is en route to Gaza, carrying humanitarian aid and human rights activists protesting against Israel’s illegal blockade of the Strip.

An earlier attempt by the Freedom Flotilla to sail to Gaza on another aid boat, the Conscience, ended on May 2 when Israeli drones bombed the boat after it left port in Malta. The activists aboard were evacuated unharmed, but the 12-person crew was left stranded at sea on the disabled boat for two more weeks before reaching safety.

The signatories urged Israel to lift all barriers to unimpeded aid delivery, in line with international humanitarian law, and reiterated demands for a permanent ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and a credible path toward a two-state solution.

After the Madleen was intercepted by Israeli forces, Tánaiste Simon Harris reiterated Ireland's call for an end to the blockade on Gaza.