A ship carrying humanitarian aid and international activists has departed from Catania, Italy, heading for Gaza in a direct challenge to Israel’s ongoing blockade. The vessel, Madleen, is operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and is transporting medical supplies, baby formula, and activists including Greta Thunberg, actor Liam Cunningham, and Palestinian MEP Rima Hassan.
Israel’s military says it is preparing for “a range of scenarios” and has vowed to enforce its maritime blockade. “We are ready to uphold our security measures,” Army Radio quoted an Israeli statement as saying.
This marks the coalition’s latest attempt to breach the siege on Gaza, following the reported drone attack on its previous vessel Conscience near Malta last month. The coalition blamed Israel for that strike, which disabled the ship and caused a fire.
“It is impossible not to expect violence from an illegal occupation,” coalition spokesperson Hay Sha Wiya said, referencing Israel’s deadly 2010 raid on the Mavi Marmara and warning of likely escalation.
UN experts have urged Israel to refrain from interfering, stating that humanitarian missions in international waters must be respected under international law. They reiterated that Palestinians are entitled to receive aid through their territorial waters.
Israel has blocked all aid crossings into Gaza since March 2, intensifying what rights groups call a campaign of collective punishment. More than 178,000 Palestinians have been killed or injured since October 7, 2023, according to Gaza health officials, with thousands still missing and vast numbers displaced.
“The Madleen is on a peaceful, legal voyage,” the Freedom Flotilla Coalition said. “Any attack on this unarmed civilian mission would be a grave violation of international law.”
The ship is expected to reach Gaza’s maritime zone within days. Tensions are high as observers brace for possible confrontation at sea.
