Sun Jun 01 18:55:24 UTC 2025: **News Article:**

**Activist-Led Aid Flotilla Sets Sail for Gaza Despite Previous Attack**

**CATANIA, Sicily** – A vessel carrying humanitarian aid and a crew of 12, including prominent climate activist Greta Thunberg, has departed from Sicily en route to Gaza. The “Madleen,” operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), aims to deliver much-needed supplies, braving potential dangers after a previous aid ship was struck by drones in early May.

The FFC, a non-violent movement advocating for Palestinian rights, stated that the mission is a “non-violent, direct action to challenge Israel’s illegal siege and escalating war crimes.” Alongside Thunberg, the crew includes Irish actor Liam Cunningham and Franco-Palestinian MEP Rima Hassan.

This voyage comes weeks after another FFC ship, the “Conscience,” was attacked by drones just outside Maltese waters. The FFC has blamed Israel for the attack.

“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,” Thunberg told reporters before setting sail. “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”.

The activists anticipate a seven-day journey to Gaza, contingent on not being intercepted. The FFC has been challenging the blockade on Gaza since 2010, combining aid deliveries with political protests.

This effort underscores the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, which the UN described as being at its worst since the start of the war 19 months ago, despite the resumption of limited aid deliveries. International agencies cite Israeli restrictions, lawlessness, and looting as major obstacles to effective aid distribution.

Adding to the complexity, a new US and Israeli-backed aid organization, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, was launched this week, but has been rejected by the UN and other aid groups due to concerns about its neutrality and distribution model.

The FFC joins a growing chorus of critics accusing Israel of genocidal acts in Gaza, allegations Israel strongly denies. Activist Thiago Avila highlighted the broader strategy, mentioning the upcoming Global March to Gaza, an international initiative planning to reach the Rafah crossing from Egypt in mid-June to protest the offensive and demand the border’s reopening.

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