Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg is set to join a high-profile humanitarian voyage aimed at challenging Israel’s ongoing blockade of Gaza.
The mission, organised by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), marks the group’s second attempt in recent months to deliver aid to the besieged Palestinian territory.
The vessel, named Madleen, is expected to depart from Catania, Sicily, on Sunday.
Alongside Thunberg, several notable figures will be on board, including Game of Thrones actor Liam Cunningham, European Member of Parliament Rima Hassan, and Palestinian-American lawyer and human rights advocate Huwaida Arraf.
Cunningham, widely recognised for portraying Davos Seaworth in the HBO series, has long supported pro-Palestinian causes. His participation underscores the growing international support for efforts to draw attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The mission follows a failed attempt earlier this month, when another FFC ship, the Conscience, was severely damaged by two drones while sailing in international waters near Malta. The FFC has blamed Israel for the attack, which left the ship’s front section inoperable.
MEP Rima Hassan, in a video shared on social media, framed the voyage of the Madleen 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,” reported Al Jazeera.
Despite a partial easing of the blockade by Israel last week, only limited aid has been permitted into Gaza, which remains on the brink of famine. The United States has echoed concerns about the worsening crisis.
In recent days, the situation has become increasingly dire. Thousands of Palestinians rushed to aid distribution points set up by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation—an initiative backed by Israel and the US—resulting in the deaths of at least three people and injuring dozens more during chaotic scenes.
Major humanitarian groups, including the United Nations, have chosen to boycott the initiative, accusing Israel of using control over aid as a means of exerting pressure on Gaza. Critics argue this approach further weaponises access to essential supplies such as food and medicine.
The World Health Organization has warned that Gaza is facing a grave humanitarian emergency. Around 25% of the population is currently experiencing what the agency describes as “a catastrophic situation of hunger, acute malnutrition, starvation, illness and death.”