Aid Ship ‘Madleen’ Sets Sail for Gaza Amid Ongoing Blockade

Catania, Italy — The humanitarian ship Madleen, launched by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), departed from Catania, Sicily, on June 1, 2025, headed for Gaza. The mission aims to deliver much-needed aid and protests against Israel’s ongoing blockade of the Strip.

Since March 2, Israel has imposed a total blockade on Gaza, leaving over 90% of the 2.3 million residents facing acute food shortages, according to aid groups. Many families suffer from starvation, leading to dozens of children’s deaths.

Named after Gaza’s only fisherwoman, Madleen is led by a crew of 12 volunteers, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and European Parliament member Rima Hassan. They aim to draw international attention to the humanitarian crisis.

The voyage, covering approximately 2,000 kilometers (1,250 miles), is expected to last seven days without interruptions. The ship’s position is monitored using live tracking technology. As of June 4, it was located about 600 kilometers (375 miles) from Sicily.

On June 3, a surveillance drone identified as a Hellenic Coastguard Heron was observed 68 kilometers (42 miles) outside Greek territorial waters, but it departed shortly afterwards.

All aboard the Madleen are trained in nonviolence. Thunberg emphasized the importance of their mission at a pre-departure press conference, stating, “The moment we stop trying is when we lose our humanity.”

The FFC has highlighted concerns over another vessel, Conscience, which was attacked by Israeli drones in May, injuring crew members and causing significant damage. This new mission is seen as a continued effort to highlight the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, exacerbated by Israel’s long-standing blockade.

The Madleen is carrying essential supplies including medical equipment, baby formula, and food staples. The FFC warns that Israel’s ongoing blockade threatens to exacerbate the dire humanitarian crisis.

Past missions to deliver aid to Gaza have faced violence, including the infamous 2010 attack on the Mavi Marmara, where Israeli forces killed several humanitarian activists. The need for an unimpeded supply of aid remains critical, as starvation levels in Gaza climb.

As global awareness grows, activists aboard the Madleen emphasize the urgency of their mission amidst significant risks posed by past aggressions against aid ships. The FFC remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring aid reaches Gaza.