State of Israel Petitions Court to Confiscate Ship That Was Stopped Trying to Enter Gaza

Jerusalem, 28 July, 2025 (TPS-IL) — The State of Israel has filed a request with the Haifa District Court, sitting as a maritime court, to permanently confiscate for the benefit of the state treasury the ship “Madleen” from the “Freedom Flotilla”, which was detained by the Navy in June 2025, while attempting to violate the legal naval blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip.

The request submitted by the Haifa District Attorney’s Office (Civil) is based on international law, which grants countries the right to seize vessels that attempt to violate a maritime blockade, and the court the authority to order their confiscation.

According to the law, a breach or attempt to breach the embargo of Gaza gives the state the authority to search the vessel and seize it.