The "Conscience" boat

On September 30, 2025 — A boat carrying dozens of international journalists and medical professionals from 25 countries has set sail for Gaza as part of the latest mission organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) to break Israel‘s illegal siege. The vessel, Conscience, bombed by Israel off the coast of Malta in May 2025, has returned to serve as a vehicle for medics and media determined to reach their colleagues in besieged Gaza.

Mission of speak truth and preserve life

For nearly two years, Israel has barred foreign journalists from entering Gaza, creating one of the most severe and sustained press blackouts in modern history. During this time, Israeli forces have targeted Palestinian journalists, killing over 270 and imprisoning countless more since October 2023.

Simultaneously, Israel has systematically dismantled Gaza’s healthcare system through relentless siege and bombardment. Hospitals and clinics have been destroyed, while Palestinian medical workers have been starved, abducted, tortured and killed. International medical teams are routinely barred from entering — and those few allowed in are prohibited from bringing lifesaving equipment and supplies.

Statement of Huwaida Arraf, FFC steering committee member aboard the ship:

*“The Conscience is the latest and largest boat in this historic flotilla — and its name represents not only steadfast resistance to Israel’s illegal blockade, but a call to awaken the conscience of the world,” “As journalists and medical professionals, we carry the responsibility to speak truth and preserve life. This mission is an appeal to our colleagues — and to the institutions that represent us globally — to break their silence, uphold their ethics, and stand on the right side of history,” said Dr. Ricardo Corradini, general surgeon from Italy. The launch of the Conscience follows the departure of 10 boats that set sail for Gaza on September 25 and 27, organized jointly by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and Thousand Madleens. Together, these missions seek to break Israel’s illegal blockade, challenge the media blackout, and affirm the Palestinian people’s right to live in freedom and dignity. We call on governments, international bodies, and global civil society to:

1. Demand safe passage for the Conscience and all vessels in the flotilla
2. Take urgent action to end Israel’s genocide in Gaza
3. Work to dismantle Israel’s illegal blockade and occupation of Palestine"*

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) and Thousand Madleens to Gaza (TMTG)

On September 27, in Catania, Italy, The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) and Thousand Madleens to Gaza (TMTG) will launch a flotilla of 10 boats from San Giovanni Li Cuti harbour, Catania, Sicily, Italy.

The nearly 70 citizens on board, from 20+ nationalities and all ages, gender, race and creed, are reinforced by 9 elected officials from the Belgian, Danish, European Union, Irish, French, Spanish and U.S. parliaments who carry the voices of their constituents with them.

This wave of boats follows the Madleen, Handala, and the dozens of boats that the FFC has sailed over the past 15 years, as well as the vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla — all of which the Israeli military has repeatedly attacked. Together, these civilian missions signal that the demand to end Israel’s blockade cannot be silenced or deterred.

Joint statement from FFC and TMTG:

“Every boat we launch is a direct challenge to the blockade and a declaration of solidarity. We sail not as charity, but as part of the global struggle to end apartheid and affirm the right of the Palestinian people to live free.”

Volunteers and elected officials:

1. Farida Amrani – is a Moroccan-born French trade unionist and politician from La France Insoumise. She has been a Member of Parliament since 2022.
2. Mélissa Camara – Member of the European Parliament (Greens/EFA, France). She brings a background in political activism and environmental / social justice, and has taken a public stand on human rights and ecological issues.
3. Alma Dufour – Alma Dufour is a French Member of Parliament (since 2022) from La France Insoumise. She has a long background in activism both for environmental and social causes.
4. Barry Heneghan – (Barra Ó hÉanaíchain) is an Irish independent who has been a MP (Teachta Dála) for the Dublin Bay North constituency since 2024.
5. Jimena González – Spanish academic and politician of the party Más Madrid, elected in 2023. She was the first transgender person to run for election under a preferred given name rather than a legal given name
6. Bénédicte Linard – Member of the Walloon Parliament and Minister in the French Community of Belgium, previously Minister of Childhood, Health, Culture, Media and Women’s Rights.
7. Ellen Read – New Hampshire State Representative for Newmarket.
8. Victoria Velasquez – Member of the Folketing (Danish Parliament) for the Red-Green political Alliance. She’s also a spokesperson on immigration and a vocal advocate for social justice.
9. Claude Girod – Mandated by Confédération Paysanne, member of Via Campesina, present in 81 countries. She’s known for fighting against free trade and defending peasant agriculture.
10. Pierre-Yves Dermagne – Belgian politician who served as Minister of Economy and Employment in the De Croo Government led by Prime Minister Alexander De Croo between 2020 and 2025.
11. Karim Ali – Co-founder of ‘The Gaza Sunbirds‘ with Alaa al-Dali, a para-cycling team based in Gaza, Palestine.
12. Youssef Swatt‘s – Belgian-Algerian rapper, author, producer, and winner of the third season of Netflix’s « Nouvelle École » in 2024, Youssef is recognized for his poetic writing and blending old-school and new-school rap.
13. Assa Traoré – One of France’s most prominent campaigners for racial justice, Assa is a French-Malian activist and leader of the Truth and Justice for Adama Committee (named after her brother, Adama Traoré, who died in police custody).

Interception by Israeli Naval

All the vessels were intercepted on 8 October 2025, during the night

1. Soul of My Soul, Time: 02:23 UTC, Coordinates: (32.1124, 32.1598)
2. Leïla Khaled, Time: 02:24 UTC, Coordinates: (32.1182, 32.1489)
3. Umm Saad, Time: 02:56 UTC, Coordinates: (32.1123, 32.2079)
4. Abd Elkarim Eid, Time: 03:15 UTC, Coordinates: (32.1093, 32.1931)
5. Anas Al Sharif, Time: 03:19 UTC, Coordinates: (32.1102, 32.1895)
6. Milad, Time: 03:45 UTC, Coordinates: (32.1200, 32.2704)
7. Gaza Sunbird, Time: 03:56 UTC, Coordinates: (32.1261, 32.2297)
8. Conscience, Time: 04:00 UTC, Coordinates: (31.7981, 31.7720)
9. Alaa Al-Najjar, Time: 04:04 UTC, Coordinates: (32.1300, 32.2779)

Israel statement:

Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on X that a raid on the flotilla had taken place: "Another futile attempt to breach the legal naval blockade and enter a combat zone ended in nothing,” (...) “The vessels and the passengers are transferred to an Israeli port. All the passengers are safe and in good health. The passengers are expected to be deported promptly.”.

The FFC statement

The FFC, an international network of pro-Palestinian activist groups that organises civilian maritime missions, said the boats were carrying “vital aid” worth more than $110,000 in medicines, respiratory equipment, and nutritional supplies destined for Gaza’s starving hospitals. (...) The Israeli military has no legal jurisdiction over international waters,” “Our flotilla poses no harm.”

The interception and abduction of the Flotilla crews

Over 48 hours, flotilla participants—journalists and medics among them—were captured in international waters, abused, detained in harsh prison conditions, and deported, in a process marked by humiliation, physical mistreatment, and denial of basic rights.

1. Interception at Sea

On October 8, 2025, the flotilla ship Conscience—carrying around 100 journalists, medics, and activists—was intercepted in international waters by the Israeli navy. Soldiers stormed the vessel by helicopter and boats, destroyed communications equipment, and took control of the ship. Passengers were searched, zip-tied, and segregated; some were harassed and insulted.

2. Detention on the Ship

For about 12 hours, those aboard were held captive by armed soldiers in confined, overheated conditions. Some passengers, including elderly people, fell ill and were denied adequate medical care. Detainees were periodically threatened with violence and deprived of comfort or communication.

3. Arrival at Ashdod Port

At night, detainees were marched off the ship under heavy guard. They were beaten, humiliated, zip-tied, and subjected to verbal abuse. Personal belongings were confiscated, including press credentials and cameras; some underwent invasive body searches. Brief “hearings” were held without legal counsel, followed by blindfolded transport to a desert prison camp.

4. Imprisonment at Ketziot Prison (Naqab/Negev Desert)

Prisoners were strip-searched, given prison clothes, and confined in dirty cells with minimal food and water. Conditions were unsanitary, and access to medicine was denied. They faced psychological pressure, including being forced to watch war footage and threatened for minor “provocations.” Some detainees reported beatings, solitary confinement, and sexual threats.

5. Consular Visits and Release

After two days, some detainees met briefly with foreign consular officials, showing bruises and recounting abuse. On October 10, 94 detainees (including the author) were deported via Eilat airport to Istanbul. Others remained in custody for several more days, enduring further mistreatment. The last detainees were freed on October 12, just before Israel released 2,000 Palestinian prisoners under a ceasefire deal.