• Greta Thunberg joins an international crew on the 'Madleen' to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.
• The mission aims to highlight the humanitarian crisis under Israel's blockade.
• The ship carries symbolic supplies like baby formula and medical items, emphasizing peaceful resistance.
• Israel plans to block the vessel’s arrival, citing security concerns.
• Activists express urgent need for international action against alleged war crimes in Gaza.

The humanitarian aid ship 'Madleen' set sail from Catania, Sicily, on June 1, 2025, with a crew that includes climate activist Greta Thunberg, Irish actor Liam Cunningham, and other international human rights advocates. The mission, organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, aims to challenge Israel's ongoing blockade of Gaza and deliver essential supplies in a bid to raise awareness of the humanitarian crisis affecting approximately 2 million Palestinians in the territory, which has been devastated by war and restrictions, according to CBS News, Al Jazeera, and TRT World.

The crew aboard the 'Madleen' plans to reach Gaza within seven days, carrying urgently needed items such as baby formula and medical supplies, which are critically scarce due to the blockade. The mission is described as a "non-violent direct action" to challenge what the activists label as illegal practices and genocidal actions by Israel. "No matter how dangerous this mission is, it is nowhere near as dangerous as the silence of the entire world in the face of the lives being genocised," remarked Thunberg, reinforcing the urgency of the humanitarian effort, reports South China Morning Post and Middle East Eye.

The journey follows a previous attempt by a Freedom Flotilla ship, named 'Conscience,' which was attacked by Israeli drones off the coast of Malta in May, highlighting the dangers faced by such humanitarian missions. The current mission's organizers emphasize that 'Madleen' is a civilian vessel carrying no weapons and aims to provide humanitarian aid amidst allegations of severe human rights violations. Activist Thiago Avila indicated that they are part of a broader strategy to break the blockade by both sea and land, noting upcoming protests aimed at stopping the violence and reopening Gaza's borders, according to TRT World and South China Morning Post.

Israel's military has signaled its intention to prevent the ship's arrival, stating it would challenge the maritime blockade imposed on Gaza. The Israeli government claims the blockade is necessary to apply pressure on Hamas, particularly concerning the ongoing conflict that began with the violence of October 7, 2023, which triggered massive casualties on both sides, including over 54,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Palestinian health authorities. Israel, however, denies accusations of genocide, framing its military operations as targeting Hamas militants while facing widespread international condemnation for civilian casualties, reports CBS News, Al Jazeera, and TRT World.