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The Madleen, a sailing boat managed by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, set off from the Sicilian port of Catania, located in southern Italy.
The group’s goal is to reach the Gaza Strip’s coastline to deliver aid and increase “global awareness” about the ongoing humanitarian issues, as mentioned by the activists during a press briefing on Sunday prior to their departure.
An earlier attempt to sail to Gaza in early May was unsuccessful when another vessel from the group, named “Conscience”, was reportedly attacked by two drones while navigating international waters off the Maltese coast.
The group blamed Israel for the attack, which damaged the front section of the ship, in the latest confrontation over efforts to send assistance to the Palestinian territory devastated by nearly 19 months of war.
The Israeli government says the blockade is an attempt to pressure Hamas to release hostages it took during the October 7, 2023, attack that triggered the conflict. Hamas-led militants assaulted southern Israel that day, killing some 1200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251. Hamas is still holding 58 hostages, 23 of whom are believed to be alive.
Civilians flee in Rafah as Israel pushes ahead with its offensive
In response, Israel launched an offensive that has killed over 52,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between fighters and civilians. Israel’s bombardment and ground operations have destroyed vast areas of the territory and left most of its population homeless.
The Flotilla group was only the latest among a growing number of critics to accuse Israel of genocidal acts in its war in Gaza. Israel vehemently denies the allegations, saying its war is directed at Hamas militants, not Gaza’s civilians.
“We are breaking the siege of Gaza by sea, but that’s part of a broader strategy of mobilisations that will also attempt to break the siege by land,” said activist Thiago Avila.
Avila cited the upcoming Global March to Gaza – an international initiative also open to doctors, lawyers and media – which is set to leave Egypt and reach the Rafah crossing in mid-June to stage a protest there, asking Israel to stop the Gaza offensive and reopen the border.
