AhlulBayt News Agency: The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) has announced that its next ship, Madleen, will depart for Gaza on Sunday as part of an ongoing mission to break Israel’s blockade of the besieged territory.
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and Irish actor Liam Cunningham, widely known for his role in Game of Thrones and his strong support for Palestinian rights, are among the key figures joining the humanitarian voyage.
UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese voiced concerns for the participants, writing on X: “Stay safe, my friends. I am painfully aware of the risks you are taking on behalf of all of us—of Humanity.”
She further urged global leaders to ensure the safety of the flotilla’s passengers. “Diplomats and politicians around the world: The Flotilla Giants are taking the heavy lift. PLEASE make sure they are protected, will you? This is the least you can do,” she added.
This mission follows a previous flotilla attempt that ended with an Israeli drone attack, heightening concerns over the dangers faced by humanitarian ships.
Other prominent figures joining the mission include Huwaida Arraf, a Palestinian-American attorney and co-founder of the International Solidarity Movement, along with Dr. Mohammed Mustafa, a British-Australian emergency physician based in Perth, and Ann Wright, a retired US Army colonel and former US diplomat.
The passenger list also includes Turkish human rights advocate Yasemin Acar, producer and activist Nicole Jenes, Brazilian campaigner Thiago Ávila, and flotilla organizer Zohar Chamberlain Regev from Spain.
The coalition says its diverse international lineup seeks to highlight its demand to end “state terrorism, media silence, and global complicity” in Gaza’s prolonged siege.
Named after Gaza’s only known female fisher in 2014, Madleen has become a symbol of Palestinian resilience. It will carry humanitarian supplies and messages of international solidarity for Palestinians suffering under the blockade.
This mission follows last month’s incident in which the previous flotilla vessel, Conscience, was hit by Israeli drones in international waters, sparking global concern over the safety of such voyages.
The attack on Conscience, which injured four crew members and allegedly violated international law, drew limited responses from world governments and mainstream media.
Turkey condemned the strike “in the strongest terms” and vowed to hold those responsible accountable, as six Turkish nationals were aboard the targeted vessel.
“This was yet another test on the world’s principles, and once again, the world failed,” said coalition volunteer Tan Safi. “But we won’t let Israel silence us through violence, or allow Europe’s silence to frighten us.”
The FFC, which includes volunteers from over 20 countries—ranging from doctors and teachers to engineers and artists—maintains that its mission is guided by the belief that “no people should be deliberately starved, maimed, murdered, or forced to suffer.”
The launch of Madleen also marks the 15th anniversary of the deadly Israeli raid on the Mavi Marmara, in which ten humanitarian activists were killed during a similar attempt to deliver aid to Gaza.
The coalition is urging civil society, media outlets, and world governments to demand accountability for the drone attack on Conscience and to ensure safe passage for Madleen and future humanitarian aid missions.
“We will not be deterred. We will not be silenced,” the coalition said. “Gaza must live—and freedom must sail.”
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