The Freedom Flotira Union planned a second sailing after previous attempts and saw a ship targeting a drone attack that denounced Israel.
Swedish climate activist Greta Samberg and Game of Thrones actor Liam Cunningham will be taking part in the next sailing of the Freedom Friedal Union (FFC) that is trying to break Israel’s months of Gaza lockdown.
The “Madleen” comes from Catania, Sicily on Sunday with humanitarian cargo and several well-known activists on board, including European Lima Hassan and Palestinian-American lawyer Huwaida Alaf.
Cunningham, the Irish actor best known for his role as Davos Seaworth in the hit HBO series, is a longtime defender of a cause similar to Palestine.
Sailing marks the second attempt in months by the FFC, a coalition of humanitarian groups, to reach Gaza.
The mission in early May was aborted after another FFC ship, “Conscience,” was attacked on suspicion of two drones while sailing in international waters off the coast along Malta.
The FFC claims that Israel was the cause of the attack and severely damaged the ship’s front line.
Meet some panelists, volunteers and supporters trying to break the illegal siege of Israel by participating in the launch of “Madreen” in Catania, Sicily. alleyesondeck #breakthesiege https://t.co/zocnr45s3i @rimahas pic.twitter.com/iqahoshbv9
– Freedom Flotilla Coalition (@gazafflotilla) May 29, 2025
In a short video on social media, MEP Hassan said the trip by “Madleen” is just as protest against Israel as its attempt to provide much-needed assistance to Gaza.
“first [goal] Of course, it is about blockades of humanitarian assistance, the ongoing genocide, the immunity enjoyed by Israel, and raising global international awareness,” she said.
“The action also responds to the attack that took place on May 2nd on previous ships in international waters near Malta.”
Israel partially lifted Gaza’s nearly three months of lockdown last week, but since then it has given only a small amount of support to Palestinian territory, which it warns the US is on the brink of hunger.
At least three and dozens of people were killed this week as thousands of Palestinians rushed to the so-called aid distribution station founded by the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, killing at least three and dozens of people who were trying to get food.
The UN and other humanitarian organisations have boycotted US- and Israel-backed initiatives, accusing Israel of trying to integrate and control the distribution of aid across Gaza with further weaponization of food and hunger.
The World Health Organization warns that after months of prolonged food shortage amid Israeli punishment lockdowns, Gaza is at risk of hunger, with about a quarter of the population in a “state of hunger, acute malnutrition, starvation, illness and death.”
