Israeli forces stormed the humanitarian vessel "Madelin" in international waters Monday, detaining all on board and transferring them to high-security prisons. The ship, part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s latest attempt to break the siege on Gaza, was surrounded by naval commandos before being forcibly diverted to Ashdod.  

Far-right security minister Itamar Ben Gvir immediately enforced punitive measures, ordering detainees held in solitary confinement and banning all outside communication. Prison authorities confirmed the activists including international observers, would be denied access to phones, radios, and even Palestinian symbols.  

Eyewitnesses described a violent takeover, with drones and patrol boats swarming the vessel before masked soldiers boarded. “They cut all transmissions, then took control within minutes,” said a coalition spokesperson. The Israeli military claimed the interception was “necessary” to maintain its blockade, despite widespread condemnation of Gaza’s humanitarian crisis.  

This latest crackdown follows years of Israeli attacks on aid convoys, including the deadly 2010 raid on the "Mavi Marmara", which left 10 activists dead. With Gaza facing near-famine conditions, rights groups accuse Israel of collective punishment, a charge denied by officials, who insist all shipments must undergo security checks.  

The detainees’ fate remains uncertain, with lawyers warning they may face prolonged detention without trial under Israel’s draconian anti-resistance laws.