LIVE UPDATES: Tracking Madleen Gaza freedom flotilla

Two French citizens detained by 'Israeli' authorities after participating in a flotilla aiming to break the blockade on Gaza remain in custody, according to the Adalah Legal Center.

In a statement released Thursday, Adalah said that Pascale Maurieras and Yanis Mhamdi, both from France, are currently being held at Givon Prison under the authority of the 'Israel' Prison Service. The pair are scheduled to be deported on the afternoon of Friday, 13 June, and are expected to meet with their lawyers later today.

Six international activists who were detained by 'Israeli' authorities after attempting to sail toward Gaza are now being deported, according to the Adalah rights group.

Adalah said Thursday the individuals had spent more than 72 hours in 'Israeli' custody following the “unlawful interception of the Madleen Freedom Flotilla in international waters.”

"Six volunteers are now being transferred to Ben Gurion Airport for deportation," the group said in a statement.

The detainees include Mark van Rennes (Netherlands), Suayb Ordu (Turkey), Yasemin Acar (Germany), Thiago Avila (Brazil), Reva Viard (France), and Rima Hassan (France). Their deportation is expected to take place late Thursday or early Friday.

 

 

 

 

 

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French-Palestinian Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan was moved to solitary confinement after writing "Free Palestine" on the walls of her cell. She has since begun a hunger strike in protest.

France announced that 'Israel' plans to deport several French citizens who were part of the Gaza-bound Freedom Flotilla. The deportations are expected to take place on Thursday and Friday, according to AFP.

Thiago Ávila, one of the 12 Freedom Flotilla volunteers illegally detained by 'Israeli' forces, has been moved to solitary confinement, his lawyer confirmed. He may face up to seven days in a small, dark, and isolated cell without contact.

Ávila is on his third day of a hunger and water strike protesting his detention conditions and Israeli Occupation’s actions. Eight volunteers remain detained.

Supporters are calling on the Brazilian government to issue an official statement and increase pressure for their release.

According to Adalah, a Palestinian-run legal center in "Israel" that is representing several of the detained activists from the Madleen, the Israeli Occupation has imposed a 100 year ban on all 12 of the crew members, forbidding them from entering its territories.

Brazilian human rights defender Thiago Ávila has launched a hunger and water strike after being detained by the Israeli Occupation authorities aboard the Madleen.

The announcement came Tuesday from Adalah, a Palestinian-run legal center in "Israel" that is representing several of the detained activists.

Adalah is demanding the immediate and unconditional release of the detainees, calling for their return to the Madleen to complete their mission of delivering life-saving supplies to Palestinians in Gaza, where famine risks have surged under Israel’s blockade.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) has confirmed that four of the 12 humanitarian volunteers seized in international waters have been deported, while eight remain in 'Israeli' custody.

According to the FFC, Israeli Occupation continues to treat all 12 individuals as though they entered the country illegally, despite having been forcibly taken from international waters and brought into 'Israeli' territory against their will.

Those who refused deportation remain detained and are expected to appear before a tribunal. The coalition's legal team will advocate for their release and their right to resume their mission. The FFC criticized the 'Israeli' legal system, calling it a tool of “apartheid, occupation, and colonization.”

The coalition called for global solidarity, not only with the detained volunteers but also with the thousands of Palestinians currently imprisoned by Israeli Occupation. According to the Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association, as of June 4, 2025, more than 10,400 Palestinians are being held, including over 400 children and more than 3,500 detainees without charge or trial.

Greta Thunberg has strongly denounced "Israel's" interception of the Madleen, describing the incident as an "illegal kidnapping" in international waters.

Speaking following her arrival in France, Thunberg detailed her concerns for fellow activists still held in "Israel" and reiterated calls for unimpeded humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip.

Thunberg asserted that their primary objective was to deliver aid and express solidarity with Palestinians. She highlighted that "Israel's" prevention of aid entry into Gaza is "illegal," a stance echoed by many international organizations.

"The Israelis published videos from the perspective of propaganda, but in reality, they kidnapped us, and this is illegal," Thunberg stated, accusing "Israeli" forces of forcibly diverting the vessel to "Israel" after intercepting it in international waters.

The Swedish activist expressed deep concern for the Madleen boat activists who remain in "Israel", demanding their immediate release. "I am very worried about the rest of the volunteers and demand their release," she emphasized.

Thunberg further characterized "Israel's" seizure of the aid ship as "a violation of international rights," reiterating that the Israeli Occupation "carried out an illegal act by kidnapping us in international waters."

Beyond the immediate incident, Thunberg addressed the broader political landscape, arguing that "recognizing the state of Palestine is the least that can be done," and accusing governments of being "complicit with Israel."

She affirmed the ongoing mission of the "Freedom Flotilla" to "break the siege on Gaza due to the systematic starvation practiced by Israel," and vowed that activists "will continue to demand an end to the atrocities committed by Israel."

Greta Thunberg has arrived at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris today after being deported from the Israeli Occupation.

The Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) has issued a strong condemnation of 'Israel's' actions concerning the Madleen boat activists, demanding their immediate and unconditional release.

In a statement released today, the DFLP denounced what it described as 'Israel's' "thuggish policy," asserting that such conduct has "exceeded all limits." The front specifically highlighted the alleged "practice of piracy in international waters," calling for an end to these actions and the prompt liberation of the activists.

A plane bound for Paris is believed to be carrying Al Jazeera correspondent Omar Faiad, who was covering the Madleen voyage to break the Gaza blockade, Al Jazeera reported.

According to "Israeli" sources, "Israeli" officials screened footage of the events of Oct. 7, 2023, to Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and other passengers on board the Gaza-bound vessel Madleen after it was intercepted by the "Israeli" Navy and brought to Ashdod on Monday.

Defense Minister Israel Katz claimed the activists refused to continue watching the material. “These antisemitic flotilla activists closed their eyes to the truth and once again proved they prefer the murderers over the victims,” he said. “They continue to ignore the atrocities committed by Hamas against Jewish and Israeli women, the elderly, and children.”

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has left the Israeli Occupation, according to "Israeli" authorities.

Thunberg, who was among those intercepted aboard the Gaza-bound vessel, was brought to Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport for deportation. On Tuesday, "Israel’s" foreign ministry confirmed her departure.

The ministry stated on its official X account, “Greta Thunberg is departing Israel on a flight to France,” posting two images showing the 22-year-old on board a plane.

Greta Thunberg just departed Israel on a flight to Sweden (via France). pic.twitter.com/kWrI9KVoqX

— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) June 10, 2025

A group of 11 international activists and one journalist who were detained aboard the Madleen are currently being held at a detention facility near Ben Gurion International Airport, according to Adalah, the legal center representing them.

In a statement, Adalah said the group is expected to appear before authorities for deportation proceedings before being returned to their countries of origin.

“After multiple requests to meet with the volunteers, Adalah’s legal team has arrived at the airport and is expected to meet with them shortly. Diplomatic representatives are also scheduled to meet with them,” the statement added.

The "Israeli" Foreign Ministry confirmed the detainees had “arrived at Ben Gurion Airport to depart from Israel and return to their home countries.” It noted that some individuals are “expected to leave within the next few hours.”

The passengers of the “Selfie Yacht” arrived at Ben Gurion Airport to depart from Israel and return to their home countries.
Some of the “Selfie Yacht” passengers are expected to leave within the next few hours.
Those who refuse to sign deportation documents and leave Israel will… pic.twitter.com/szEHmd0rS0

— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) June 10, 2025

However, for those who do not consent to deportation, the ministry said, “those who refuse to sign deportation documents and leave Israel will be brought before a judicial authority, in accordance with Israeli law, to authorize their deportation. Consuls from the passengers’ home countries met them at the airport,” it added.

The Gaza-bound Madleen boat carrying 12 activists and humanitarian supplies reached “Israel's” Ashdod port on Monday, north of the blockaded Gaza Strip, after being intercepted by “Israeli” forces, according to AFP.

“Israel's” navy escorted the Madleen, which organisers said was intercepted in international waters overnight, to the “Israeli port”, reaching Ashdod at around 8:45 pm (17:45 GMT).

“Israel's” Defense Minister Israel Katz commends the military for "the swift and safe takeover of the Madleen", a Gaza-bound aid boat, preventing the activists on board -- including Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg -- from reaching the blockaded Palestinian territory.

Sweden’s Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard said Monday that Greta Thunberg and 11 other activists illegally detained by 'Israeli' forces are not in danger and do not require consular support, according to Swedish media.

She added that the activists "bear personal responsibility," as Sweden had long advised against travel to Gaza.

Thunberg, who recorded a video before her detention, said the group was “kidnapped in international waters” and urged pressure on Sweden’s government to secure their release.

Israeli Occupation's chargé d'affaires in Madrid was summoned Monday by the Spanish Foreign Ministry for a formal reprimand, according to Hebrew Channel 7.

Israeli Occupation’s prison service announced Monday it is ready to receive detainees from the Madleen ship, which was intercepted by 'Israeli' forces off the coast of Gaza.

According to Israel Hayom, separate cells have been prepared in Givon Prison in Ramla, following orders by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir to ban communication devices, radios, televisions, and any Palestinian symbols.

The Madleen is protected by international law and was legally allowed to reach Gaza.

'Israeli' Foreign Ministry had mocked the Madleen, a boat carrying pro-Palestinian activists and humanitarian aid bound for Gaza, by labeling it the “selfie yacht,” suggesting it was more of a photo opportunity than a serious mission.

That jab quickly sparked a wave of posts pointing out the irony.

In one viral post on X, Assal Rad, a fellow at DAWN, responded with a photograph of 'Israeli' soldiers posing for a selfie in front of rubble in Gaza, captioned “selfie yacht.”

“Selfie yacht” https://t.co/6MSdETpzWf pic.twitter.com/b5AHlALqIL

— Assal Rad (@AssalRad) June 9, 2025

Mitchell Plitnick, president of ReThinking Foreign Policy, also weighed in, sharing similar images and asking, “The Israeli government calls the humanitarian flotilla, the Madleen ‘the selfie yacht’. So what do we call the Israeli army?”

The #Israeli government calls the humanitarian flotilla, the #Madleen "the selfie yacht."
So what do we call the Israeli army? https://t.co/Q7l9HjifDh pic.twitter.com/T0wQJiy4TV

— Mitchell Plitnick (@MJPlitnick) June 9, 2025

Since the start of the 'Israeli' ground invasion in late 2023, numerous photos and videos have emerged online showing 'Israeli' soldiers smiling, dancing, or making light of the destruction around them, often with Gaza’s ruins as the backdrop. Some clips even show soldiers mocking killed and displaced Palestinians, further fueling outrage over the double standard.

“Israel” said a Gaza-bound boat carrying Greta Thunberg and other activists was redirected to “Israeli” shores on Monday, with the passengers set to return to their homes.

"The 'selfie yacht' of the 'celebrities' is safely making its way to the shores of Israel. The passengers are expected to return to their home countries," the foreign ministry said in a statement posted on social media.

Madleen has been assaulted in international waters by ‘Israeli’ forces, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) said in a statement.

Quadcopters surrounded the vessel and sprayed it with a white irritant substance, in addition to communications being jammed.

The FFC said ‘Israeli’ forces have boarded the vessel and kidnapped the activists on the ship.

An update from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) said the boats which surrounded the Madleen aid ship have now left.

In a voice recording posted by activist Thiago Avila on the FFC’s Telegram channel, it said the incident was a ‘very unlikely false alarm’.

‘We have been surrounded by many lights all at once and they were circling our boat, but in the end they kept going their own way,’ Avila said.

‘Could be [Israeli] vessels..but they left and we don’t know,’ Avila added.

VIDEO - Activist onboard Madleen moment ‘Israeli’ speedboats surround the vessel 

'Israeli’ speedboards have surrounded Madleen, according to UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, who says she’s in contact with the flotilla.

‘The captain is instructing the team to stay calm and seated, with their passports and life jackets on.’

‘hear them speaking with Israeli soldiers as I type... telling they are carrying humanitarian aid and go in peace. For the time being they are just circled. I am with them, recording everything,’ Albanese said on her twitter account.

The “Israeli” Navy is preparing to stop Madleen tonight, as the aid ship is on a steady course to reach the Gaza Strip coast.

According to Haaretz, the navy plans to block the ship as far away from Gaza as possible, in order to avoid seizing it by force, which happened with Mavi Marmara in 2010.

A senior “Israeli” quoted by Hebrew Channel 12 said that a navy commando unit is preparing to intercept the ship by going on board.

Defying threats from “Israeli” authorities, the humanitarian aid flotilla Madleen is continuing its journey toward the Gaza Strip, carrying a symbolic one-ton shipment of aid in an effort to break the ongoing blockade on the besieged Strip.

Zaher Birawi, head of the International Committee to Break the Siege on Gaza (ICBSG), told Roya that the freedom activists aboard the Madleen, hailing from seven different countries, remain in high spirits and are determined to deliver a message of solidarity and protest against “Israel’s” continued aggression on Gaza.

Birawi said that the Madleen is not carrying any weapons, only humanitarian support and a message of hope.

He described the “Israeli” threats against the vessel as a blatant violation of international law, especially since six of the activists on board are French citizens.

He added that the committee has issued warnings against any attack or interference with the ship or its passengers, and has successfully launched a global petition in solidarity with the mission, which collected over 1.15 million signatures in just two days.

“This ship is not just transporting aid, it is a cry for justice and a call to the world to act against the Israeli aggression and the unjust blockade imposed on over two million people in Gaza,” Birawi told Roya.

He noted that “Israel” is increasingly sensitive to its global image, which has been further tarnished by its ongoing military actions. Any move against the Madleen, he warned, could negatively impact Tel Aviv’s relations with several countries.

Birawi suggested that “Israel” might opt to intercept the ship and redirect it to the port of Ashdod, followed by the deportation of the activists to their respective countries; rather than engaging in direct military escalation.

Israeli Occupation Defense Minister Israel Katz announced Sunday that he had instructed military forces to take all necessary measures to prevent the aid ship Madleen from reaching the shores of Gaza.

Katz stated that "Israel will act against any attempt to break the siege or deliver aid; by sea, by air, or by land." In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he warned: “It’s better you turn back, you will not reach Gaza.”

The International Committee for Breaking the Siege on Gaza expressed deep concern Sunday over what it described as a deliberate jamming of signals and location tracking of the aid ship Madleen by 'Israeli' forces. The committee warned that such actions threaten the safety of the 12 activists on board.

Hebrew media reported that the 'Israeli' navy is preparing to intercept the ship and tow it to Ashdod port to prevent it from reaching Gaza.

The Madleen is carrying humanitarian aid, including food, medicine, crutches, prosthetics for children, and water filters.

The committee urged the international community to intervene immediately to ensure the ship’s safe passage and warned that any escalation could endanger both the activists and civilians in Gaza.

They added that jamming the ship's signals violates international law, which protects freedom of navigation and the delivery of humanitarian aid.

The aid ship Madleen is expected to reach Palestinian waters near the Gaza Strip in approximately 19 hours, according to activists on board.

Rima Hassan, a French-Palestinian Member of the European Parliament sailing with the crew, had posted on Instagram that the ship would arrive within a day. 

Brazilian activist Thiago Ávila, also aboard the Madleen, said the ship is now about 190 miles (306 km) from Gaza. In a video posted Sunday morning, Ávila called on supporters around the world to urge their governments to ensure the vessel’s safe passage.

Ávila described the mission as modest, with just 12 people on board carrying as much aid as possible, including food, medicine, crutches, prosthetics for amputated children, and water filters, acknowledging that it amounts to only a small fraction of what Gaza needs.

He also expressed concern about the dangers ahead, referencing Israeli Occupation’s history of intercepting aid ships bound for Gaza. He emphasized that visibility and public pressure on governments are the most effective ways to help ensure the Madleen reaches its destination safely.

 

 

 

 

 

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A humanitarian aid vessel carrying 12 activists is now sailing along Egypt’s coast en route to the besieged Gaza Strip, according to organizers from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition.

The ship, Madleen, departed Sicily last week loaded with essential relief supplies intended for Palestinians in Gaza. The mission’s goal, as stated by the coalition, is to "break Israel’s blockade on Gaza," which has been in place since before the 2023 outbreak of war.

“We are now sailing off the Egyptian coast,” German human rights activist Yasemin Acar told Agence France-Presse (AFP), confirming the passengers are in good condition.

In a Saturday statement from London, the International Committee for Breaking the Siege of Gaza confirmed that the vessel had entered Egyptian waters. The group said it is coordinating closely with international legal and human rights organizations to protect those on board, warning that any attempt to intercept the ship would be “a blatant violation of international humanitarian law.”

European Parliament member Rima Hassan, also among the passengers, appealed to world leaders to “guarantee safe passage for the Freedom Flotilla.”

"Israel" has previously responded with force to similar maritime efforts. In 2010, a raid by "Israeli" commandos on the Turkish ship Mavi Marmara, which was part of a previous aid flotilla, left 10 civilians dead. More recently in May, another ship from the coalition, the Conscience, reportedly came under drone fire, prompting emergency interventions by Malta and Cyprus.

Earlier in its current voyage, Madleen temporarily diverted course near Crete to respond to a distress call from a migrant boat. Activists aboard rescued four Sudanese migrants who had jumped overboard in an attempt to avoid being pushed back to Libya. The rescued individuals were later transferred to an EU Frontex ship.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which began its efforts in 2010, represents a network of civil society groups demanding an end to the humanitarian blockade of Gaza. "Israel" imposed the latest round of severe restrictions on March 2, only partially easing them since, despite mounting international condemnation.

The United Nations has warned that Gaza’s entire population of over two million is facing the threat of famine as humanitarian access remains tightly restricted.

As the boat Madleen enters its seventh day at sea, nearing the coast of Gaza, activists onboard say their mission is not just about aid, but a statement against global inaction.

“We arrive on Monday, and to be honest, this mission should not even exist,” said Thiago Ávila, an activist on the boat, in a video posted to Instagram. “It should be governments doing this. It should be the countries that signed the UN Charter, the Rome Statute, and the Convention against Genocide. It should be international organizations leading efforts like this, not everyday people like us.”

The Madleen is part of a civil initiative aimed at breaking the blockade on Gaza by creating what the activists call a “people’s humanitarian corridor.” The initiative comes amid an ongoing 'Israeli' siege and genocide in Gaza.

“For three months now, Palestinians have been without any food. After 82 days of total blockade, not a single drop of water, not a single bag of rice has entered Gaza,” Ávilat said.

Despite threats from 'Israeli' forces, the activists continue to document their journey. “When governments fail, we sail,” Ávilat added, emphasizing their belief in the responsibility of civil society to act where international bodies have, in their view, remained silent.

They described the crisis in Gaza as “a genocide and ethnic cleansing” that has lasted for eight decades, and pointed to what they called “a colonial apartheid state” driven by “a racist and supremacist ideology called Zionism.”

The Madleen is expected to reach Gaza on Monday.

Activists say the spotlight should remain on the Palestinian people, not on the boat itself. “We’re not even the story,” the activist said. “The story is the Palestinian people’s survival.”

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, in partnership with Forensic Architecture, has equipped the vessel Madleen with an advanced tracking system, known as the Madleen Tracker.

This cutting-edge technology offers real-time location updates, playing a vital role in safeguarding those on board. It also promotes transparency by publicly sharing the vessel’s movements and helps hold potential aggressors accountable for any hostile actions.

The Madleen Tracker exemplifies how innovative tools can enhance safety and oversight in maritime missions amid ongoing regional tensions.

The Madleen, a humanitarian aid vessel organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), has set sail from Sicily on a mission to deliver life-saving supplies to Gaza and challenge Israeli Occupation’s years-long blockade of the besieged Palestinian territory.

The ship departed the port of Catania on June 1, carrying a group of 12 international human rights activists and vital aid supplies. The mission was launched in direct response to Israeli Occupation’s total blockade of aid to Gaza since March 2, which has resulted in a worsening humanitarian catastrophe, including the starvation deaths of dozens of children.

According to aid organizations, over 90 percent of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents are facing acute food insecurity. The United Nations has warned that 100 percent of the population is on the brink of famine.

A Journey of Resistance

The Madleen is named after Madleen Kolab, Gaza’s first and only female fisherwoman — a symbolic tribute to both resilience and defiance.

The 2,000-kilometer (1,250-mile) journey to Gaza is expected to take seven days, barring any disruptions. The ship’s progress is being tracked in real time by Forensic Architecture, a research group monitoring the voyage via the vessel’s onboard tracking system. As of June 3 at 15:00 GMT, the Madleen was approximately 600 kilometers from Sicily.

The Madleen’s departure follows the May 2 'Israeli' drone attack on another Freedom Flotilla vessel, Conscience, in international waters off the coast of Malta. That strike blew a hole in the ship and set its engine ablaze.

Who’s On Board?

Twelve volunteers from across the globe are onboard the Madleen, including prominent activists and humanitarian workers:

• Greta Thunberg – Swedish climate activist
• Rima Hassan – French-Palestinian Member of the European Parliament
• Yasemin Acar – Germany
• Baptiste Andre – France
• Thiago Ávila – Brazil
• Omar Faiad – France
• Pascal Maurieras – France
• Yanis Mhamdi – France
• Şuayb Ordu – Türkiye
• Sergio Toribio – Spain
• Marco van Rennes – Netherlands
• Reva Viard – France

“We are doing this because no matter what odds we are against, we have to keep trying, because the moment we stop trying is when we lose our humanity,” said Greta Thunberg.

According to the FFC, all participants onboard have undergone nonviolence training and the voyage is an unarmed, peaceful act of civil resistance.

What Aid is Being Delivered?

The Madleen is carrying urgently needed supplies for Gaza’s embattled population, including:

• Medical equipment
• Flour and rice
• Baby formula and diapers
• Women’s sanitary products
• Water desalination kits
• Crutches and prosthetics for children

These items are crucial as hospitals collapse, food runs out, and clean water becomes almost nonexistent across the Gaza Strip.

A History of Risk and Resistance

This is not the first time a flotilla has attempted to challenge Israeli Occupation’s blockade.

In 2010, 'Israeli' commandos carried out a deadly raid on the Mavi Marmara, part of a flotilla carrying 10,000 tons of aid. Nine activists were killed in international waters. The Madleen now sails in the shadow of that tragedy and the more recent Conscience drone strike.

Gaza has been under an 'Israeli' land, sea, and air blockade since 2007. But since October 7, 2023, Israeli Occupation’s assault has intensified, with more than 54,000 Palestinians killed and more than 1.95 million people, about 93 percent of the population, facing acute food shortages, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC).

Despite the recent launch of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a US- and 'Israeli'-backed aid initiative, distribution has reportedly collapsed into chaos. On May 27, the hub disintegrated within hours of opening, and multiple reports accuse 'Israeli' forces of firing on crowds gathered at aid distribution sites, killing over 100 Palestinians in the last eight days alone.

Israeli Occupation's Response

'Israel' announced on Monday its intention to block the ship saying in a brief statement that the 'Israeli' military is “enforcing the security maritime closure on Gaza and is preparing for a variety of scenarios,” without providing further details.

Gaza Freedom Flotilla has diverted its course after receiving a mayday call from a nearby vessel in distress, according to a social media update from one of the activists on board.

“We just received a mayday call for a search and rescue situation, and we are changing our course to provide any assistance we can!” said Thiago Ávilaone, an activist aboard the Madleen, in an Instagram post on Thursday.

The Madleen is a humanitarian flotilla aiming to deliver aid to Gaza and raise international awareness of the 'Israeli' blockade on the coastal enclave. The incident occurred during the flotilla’s fifth day at sea, while it was traveling in international waters.

Ávilaone said the vessel was located approximately two hours away from the Madleen's current position. “Life is a priority to us,” he added, explaining why the crew made the immediate decision to alter their route.

The Madleen is part of a multi-national civil society effort attempting to break the blockade on Gaza. Similar flotillas in the past have faced interception by 'Israeli' naval forces before reaching the Gaza coast.

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and Irish actor Liam Cunningham are among the prominent figures preparing to sail aboard the “Madleen” in a renewed effort by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) to challenge "Israel’s" ongoing blockade of Gaza.

Departed June 1 from Catania, Sicily, carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza amid a severe blockade lasting over 90 days.

Cunningham, widely known for his role as Davos Seaworth in Game of Thrones, has long spoken out on human rights issues, including his support for Palestinian causes.

This marks the second attempt in recent weeks by the FFC—a coalition of international humanitarian organizations—to reach Gaza by sea. Their previous mission was aborted in early May after another vessel, the “Conscience,” sustained serious damage in what the group described as a drone attack by "Israel" while the ship was navigating international waters near Malta.

Speaking in a video posted to social media, Hassan described the Madleen’s voyage as both a humanitarian effort and a political statement.

“The first [goal] being of course to reject the blockade of humanitarian aid, the ongoing genocide, the impunity enjoyed by the State of Israel and to raise global international awareness,” she said. “This action is also in response to the attack that took place on May 2 against the previous ship that took place in international waters near Malta.”

Although "Israel" slightly relaxed its months-long blockade last week, aid entering Gaza has remained extremely limited.

This week saw deadly chaos at new aid distribution points managed by the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an effort backed by "Israel" and the US. At least three Palestinians died and dozens were injured as crowds overwhelmed the distribution sites. Major humanitarian organizations, including the UN, have refused to participate in the initiative, accusing "Israel" of politicizing aid and using food as leverage in the conflict.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued stark warnings, stating that a quarter of Gaza’s population is now experiencing catastrophic levels of hunger, marked by acute malnutrition, disease, and rising death tolls.