A US-based nonprofit organization, Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), has set sail from the Italian port of Catania on Sunday, heading to Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid. The move comes after a previous attempt was thwarted by a drone attack in May.
The vessel, Madleen, is carrying limited but symbolic relief supplies, including barrels of food and other essential items. Climate activist Greta Thunberg and Irish actor Liam Cunningham are among the volunteers on board.
FFC claims that Israel was responsible for the drone attack on its ship, Conscience, which occurred just outside Maltese territorial waters in early May. The group’s mission is not charity, but a non-violent, direct action to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza and escalating war crimes.
The situation in Gaza has deteriorated over the past 19 months, with the UN describing it as the worst since the conflict between Israel and Hamas militants began. Despite limited aid deliveries resuming, the UN and international aid groups have refused to work with a new aid distribution model launched by the US and Israel, citing neutrality concerns.
The FFC’s mission is part of a growing global effort to pressure Israel over its treatment of Palestinians in Gaza. The group says it will continue to try to break the “silence” that allows human rights abuses to occur.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/nonprofit-ship-sets-sail-gaza-after-drone-attack-setback-2025-06-01