Aid ship to set sail for Gaza despite drone attack on similar mission

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s (FFC) next ship, Madleen, is scheduled to depart for Gaza on Sunday, as part of the group’s ongoing effort to break the Israeli regime’s “illegal blockade” of the besieged Gaza Strip.

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and Irish actor Liam Cunningham, best known for his role in Game of Thrones and his vocal support for Palestinian rights, are among the prominent figures joining the mission.

UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese took to her X page to express concern for the participants, writing, “Stay safe, my friends. I am painfully aware of the risks you are taking on behalf of all of us—of Humanity.”

She further called on global leaders to ensure the flotilla’s safety. “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.

The mission follows a previous attempt that ended with a flotilla being targeted in a drone attack, raising renewed alarm over the safety of such humanitarian voyages.

Joining the mission are other prominent figures, including Huwaida Arraf, a Palestinian-American attorney and co-founder of the International Solidarity Movement; 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 Yasemin Acar, a Turkish human rights advocate; Nicole Jenes, a producer and activist; Brazilian campaigner Thiago Ávila; and Zohar Chamberlain Regev, a flotilla organiser based in Spain.

The coalition says the international lineup aims to spotlight its call 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 along with a message of international solidarity for Palestinians living under blockade.

The voyage follows last month’s incident in which the FFC’s previous civilian aid ship, Conscience, was struck by Israeli drones in international waters, heightening global concern over the safety of such missions.

The attack on the vessel Conscience, which injured four crew members and, according to the group, violated international law, has drawn a limited response from world governments or major media outlets.

Turkey, however, condemned the strike “in the strongest terms,” vowing to bring those responsible to justice. Six Turkish nationals were aboard the targeted ship.

“This was yet another test on the world’s principles, and once again, the world failed,” said Tan Safi, a volunteer with the coalition. “But we won’t let Israel silence us through violence, or allow Europe’s silence to frighten us.”

The FFC, which brings together volunteers from more than 20 countries, including doctors, teachers, engineers, and artists, says its mission is driven 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 group is urging civil society, the media, and world governments to demand justice for the drone attack on Conscience and to ensure safe passage for Madleen and future humanitarian 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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