Excerpt adapted from an article by Edward David Brunner, University of Greenwich School of Law & Criminology, originally published on JURIST.com
CATANIA, Sicily, 1 June 2025 – The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), an international NGO focused on civil resistance and humanitarian advocacy, launched a vessel from the port of Catania on Sunday, carrying aid bound for the Gaza Strip. The mission aims to break the Israeli blockade and deliver urgently needed humanitarian supplies amid the escalating crisis in Gaza.
On board the vessel Madleen are a number of human rights defenders, including climate activist Greta Thunberg and Rima Hassan, Member of the European Parliament. Both have framed the journey as an act of peaceful civil disobedience in response to what they describe as Israel’s ongoing escalation and humanitarian blockade of Gaza.
“Our voyage is a form of civil resistance against the inaction of world governments and the collective punishment of civilians,” said Thunberg. “The world cannot be silent bystanders. Every single one of us has a moral obligation to do everything we can to fight for a free Palestine.”
The Madleen is carrying a range of essential items, including baby formula, flour, rice, diapers, sanitary products, water desalination kits, medical supplies, crutches, and prosthetic limbs for children. The FFC stressed the urgency of delivering aid to Gaza, where humanitarian access remains severely limited due to Israeli restrictions.
The flotilla mission draws historical resonance from the 2010 Gaza Flotilla Incident, during which Israeli forces intercepted a convoy of ships attempting to deliver aid, resulting in the deaths of nine activists. While a UN inquiry later affirmed Israel’s right to impose a naval blockade under international law, it cautioned that such measures could be unlawful if their intent or effect amounted to collective punishment of civilians. A separate UN Human Rights Council report declared the 2010 raid unlawful, further highlighting the legal and ethical controversies surrounding access to Gaza.
In a speech prior to departure, Thunberg called on the international community to demand the opening of a humanitarian corridor into Gaza. “Governments must pressure Israel to allow the unimpeded delivery of life-saving supplies,” she said.
Dr. Mohammed Mustafa, a British-Australian physician also aboard the vessel, joined Thunberg in a video message expressing solidarity with medical personnel in Gaza, praising their courage and resilience under immense pressure.
The FFC emphasized that the Madleen is on a peaceful humanitarian mission and urged states not to obstruct the ship’s passage. The group has made a live tracking link publicly available to ensure transparency and accountability.
The mission reflects broader global calls for increased humanitarian access to Gaza and highlights ongoing debates about the legal and moral dimensions of Israel’s blockade. As the ship makes its way toward the besieged enclave, international attention is once again focused on the urgent need for relief and justice in the region.
Greta Thunberg Picture by EU Parliament Media Team
