Civilian Mission Embarks to Break Gaza Siege

On 1 June, the Madleen, a civilian aid vessel operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), departed from Catania, Sicily, aiming to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.

The voyage, expected to take about seven days, is the latest peaceful attempt to challenge Israel’s naval blockade, which has been in place since 2007 and tightened further on 2 March, when Israel imposed a total ban on aid deliveries into Gaza.

Despite facing serious risks, including a drone surveillance encounter and threats of interception, the ship continues its journey with 12 international activists and a cargo of life-saving supplies. As of 4 June, the vessel was about 600 km from Sicily, monitored in real-time via satellite tracking.

Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza Intensifies

The blockade has pushed Gaza’s 2.3 million residents into a deepening humanitarian catastrophe. According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), 93% of Gaza’s population is experiencing acut...