Civilian ship with activists aboard attempts to break Israel's blockade

Climate activist Greta Thunberg, along with 11 other advocates, have boarded the ship Madleen to travel to the Gaza. The goal of the journey is to bring in some aid and raise “international awareness” over the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

During a press conference held on Sunday, just before their departure, the activists expressed their goal to "break Israel's siege" of the Gaza strip. The ship, run by Freedom Flotilla Coalition, set sail from Catania, Sicily, carrying barrels of supplies that the activism group called “limited amounts, though symbolic.”

In mid-May, Israel eased its blockade on Gaza slightly after nearly three months, permitting a limited flow of humanitarian aid; however, experts warn that without increased support, the territory faces extreme famine.

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According to UN agencies and major aid organizations, Israeli restrictions, combined with deteriorating law and order and rampant looting, severely hinder the delivery of assistance to Gaza’s approximately 2 million residents.

"We are doing this because, no matter what odds we are against, we have to keep trying," Thunberg said. She added: “Because the moment we stop trying is when we lose our humanity. And no matter how dangerous this mission is, it’s not even near as dangerous as the silence of the entire world in the face of the live-streamed genocide."

Earlier in May, another vessel operated by the group, the Conscience, was hit by two drones. Thunberg was supposed to travel on that ship instead of the Madleen.

The Freedom Flotillda Coalittion blamed Isreal for the attack while the non-violent movement said they were bringing goods to assist the war-torn terrority.

Israel has emphasized that the blockade is intended to compel Hamas to free hostages taken during the attack on October 7, 2023, which sparked the ongoing conflict.

On that day, Hamas militants launched an assault in southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals, primarily civilians, and the abduction of 251 people.

In retaliation, Israel launched a military operation resulting in over 52,000 Palestinian deaths, mostly among women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The extensive bombardment and ground assaults have severely damaged the territory, leaving many homeless.

Some other known members of the crew on the Madleen are Game of Thrones star Liam Cunningham and Rima Hassan, a French member of the European Parliament, who is of Palestinian descent. Hassan has been banned from entering Israel for her posiiton against Israel's assult on Gaza.

"We are breaking the siege of Gaza by sea, but that’s part of a broader strategy of mobilizations that will also attempt to break the siege by land,” activist Thiago Avila said.

Avila remarked on the forthcoming Global March to Gaza, an international effort that invites participation from doctors, lawyers, and members of the media. This event is scheduled to depart from Egypt and arrive at the Rafah crossing in mid-June, where a protest will take place, urging Israel to cease its offensive in Gaza and to reopen the border