A vessel operated by the international nonprofit Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) has departed from Sicily, Italy, bound for Gaza with humanitarian aid on Sunday, June 1, 2025. This voyage is a renewed attempt by the group after a previous aid ship was damaged in the Mediterranean Sea.
The Madleen vessel set sail from the port of Catania carrying barrels of relief supplies, described by the group as “limited amounts, though symbolic.” The crew consists of 12 people, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and Franco-Palestinian MEP Rima Hassan.
Freedom Flotilla activists board aid ship Madleen in Catania, Italy, bound for Gaza
This mission follows an incident in early May when another FFC vessel, the Conscience, was reportedly hit by two drones near Maltese territorial waters. The FFC attributed the attack to Israel, although Israel has not commented on the accusation. Greta Thunberg had originally been scheduled to be on the Conscience.
Speaking before the Madleen’s departure, Thunberg emphasized the group’s determination. “We are doing this because no matter what odds we are against, we have to keep trying, because the moment we stop trying is when we lose our humanity,” she stated. She also highlighted the perceived danger compared to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, saying, “no matter how dangerous this mission is, it is nowhere near as dangerous as the silence of the entire world in the face of the lives being genocised.” (Related story: Climate activist Greta Thunberg to join aid ship effort to break Gaza siege).
The activists estimate the journey to Gaza will take approximately seven days, provided they are not intercepted.
The FFC, founded in 2010, is a non-violent movement that supports Palestinians. Its activities combine delivering humanitarian aid with political protest against the blockade imposed on Gaza.
The organization describes the current trip as “not charity,” but rather “a non-violent, direct action to challenge Israel’s illegal siege and escalating war crimes.”
United Nations agencies and major aid organizations have reported significant challenges in delivering aid to Gaza’s estimated two million residents. These difficulties are attributed to Israeli restrictions, a breakdown of law and order within Gaza, and widespread looting.
According to the UN, the humanitarian situation in Gaza reached its worst point since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas 19 months ago, despite a recent, limited resumption of aid deliveries into the territory.
Under increasing international pressure, Israel reportedly ended an 11-week blockade on Gaza on May 19, allowing restricted UN-led operations to resume.
A new mechanism for aid distribution, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, was launched on Monday, backed by the United States and Israel. However, the UN and international aid groups have reportedly refused to cooperate with this initiative, citing concerns about its neutrality and a distribution model that could lead to the displacement of Palestinians (Read more: US-backed Gaza aid model distraction from atrocities, UNRWA chief says).
The FFC joins a growing number of critics who accuse Israel of genocidal acts in its military campaign in Gaza. Israel strongly denies these allegations.
Activist Thiago Avila stated that breaking the siege by sea is “part of a broader strategy of mobilisations that will also attempt to break the siege by land.”
Avila mentioned the upcoming Global March to Gaza, an international initiative that will include doctors, lawyers, and media members. This march is planned to start from Egypt in mid-June and proceed to the Rafah crossing to protest the Gaza offensive and call for the border’s reopening.
Explore more about the context and related events: Greta Thunberg on Gaza: “This has shown the true colours of the world” or watch a video: Activist Greta Thunberg and Game of Thrones actor to sail to Gaza.
