A humanitarian vessel sailing to Gaza rescued four migrants in the Mediterranean Sea on Thursday after they jumped into the water to avoid being taken by Libyan authorities. The incident took place as the Madleen, operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, was on a mission to deliver aid to Gaza and draw attention to the humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian enclave.
The vessel was alerted by the EU border agency Frontex to a migrant boat in distress. Upon arrival, the crew found 30 to 40 people aboard a dangerously deflating rubber boat. As the Madleen prepared to assist, a Libyan coast guard ship approached at high speed. Fearing forced return to Libya, four migrants leapt into the sea and began swimming toward the Madleen, which successfully pulled them to safety.
The rest of the passengers were intercepted and returned to Libya—a country where returned migrants frequently face detention, abuse, and human rights violations, according to numerous international organizations.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition condemned the return of the migrants, calling for urgent European intervention to provide protection and safe passage. They appealed to Italy, Malta, and Greece to allow the Madleen to dock and grant the rescued individuals asylum. The ship had departed Sicily earlier in the week carrying humanitarian supplies and 12 activists, including climate advocate Greta Thunberg, actor Liam Cunningham, and French MEP Rima Hassan.
Hassan, of Palestinian origin, has been barred from entering Israel due to her criticism of the Israeli military campaign in Gaza. The Madleen aims to challenge the naval blockade on Gaza and raise awareness of what aid groups have called an unfolding famine. The World Food Programme recently warned that one in five Palestinians is on the brink of starvation.
This maritime rescue brings renewed focus to the plight of migrants departing from Libya. The country remains one of the most dangerous starting points for migrants attempting to reach Europe. Human rights monitors have consistently reported that those returned to Libya are often held in overcrowded detention centers, subjected to exploitation, or fall under the control of armed groups.
Last month, another ship belonging to the Freedom Flotilla was attacked by drones while sailing in international waters near Malta, damaging the vessel and forcing the mission to halt. The group blamed Israel for the strike.
The recent incident has again sparked outrage from rights groups and humanitarian organizations, who warn that returning migrants to Libya violates international conventions, particularly when they are at risk of torture or arbitrary detention.
