Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Hamdan to Al Mayadeen: The absence of Sayyed Hassan places a responsibility on us all to continue on the path of eliminating the entity and liberating the land
Hamdan to Al Mayadeen: The relationship between the Resistance in Lebanon and Palestine was led on Hezbollah’s side by Sayyed Nasrallah, serving the resistance and achieving accomplishments
Hamdan to Al Mayadeen: There is a deep-rooted relationship that has developed between the Resistance in Palestine, especially Hamas, and the Resistance in Lebanon, namely Hezbollah
Hamdan to Al Mayadeen: Hezbollah has previously lost its Secretary-General, Sayyed Abbas al-Moussawi, yet it grew stronger, achieved liberation in 2000, and fought a heroic battle in 2006
Hamdan to Al Mayadeen: There is no doubt that the absence of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah has left its mark, and we affirm that the martyrdom of leaders will not break the resistance
Hamdan to Al Mayadeen: The enemy is trying to buy time, hoping to achieve a political gain it hasn’t secured in two years of aggression
Hamdan to Al Mayadeen: It has become clear that the Zionist entity is not interested in a truce or a ceasefire
Hamdan to Al Mayadeen: I believe there is a revival of previous proposals to give the illusion that there are negotiations to cover up Israeli crimes in Gaza
Hamdan to Al Mayadeen: The aggression occurred a day after Trump presented his proposal to the movement’s delegation, which was meeting with the Qatari prime minister
Hamdan to Al Mayadeen: There have been no messages from the movement to the US president or anyone else since the assassination attempt in Qatar

Freedom Flotilla Madleen ship enters Egypt waters, Gaza next en route

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 7 Jun 2025 19:52
  • 7 Shares
5 Min Read

Greta Thunberg and a group of international activists aboard the aid ship Madleen are nearing the Egyptian coast on a mission to break "Israel's" blockade on Gaza.

Listen
  • x
  • AP
    Climate activist Greta Thunberg stands near a Palestinian flag after boarding the Madleen boat and before setting sail for Gaza along with activists of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, departing from the Sicilian port of Catania, Italy, on Sunday, June 1, 2025 (AP)

The Madleen, a ship carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza and a delegation of high-profile figures, including renowned climate activist Greta Thunberg, has entered Egyptian waters and is steadily approaching the besieged Palestinian territory.

The vessel is part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), a network of international civil society groups that has launched multiple missions to Gaza over the past 15 years. This latest voyage, which departed Sicily on June 1, is the first since "Israel" launched its current war on Gaza following the events of October 7, 2023. The flotilla seeks to deliver urgently needed supplies to Palestinians and to confront what the coalition has called "Israel's illegal, decades-long blockade and ongoing genocide."

"We are now sailing off the Egyptian coast," said German human rights activist Yasemin Acar in a statement to AFP. "We are all good," she added.

The Madleen is transporting vital humanitarian goods: baby formula, flour, rice, diapers, feminine hygiene products, medical kits, water desalination tools, crutches, and children's prosthetics. These supplies are destined for Gaza's civilian population, which continues to suffer under "Israel's" blockade, with aid deliveries frequently obstructed, attacked, or delayed, worsening an already catastrophic humanitarian crisis.

Defiant voyage

According to the International Committee for Breaking the Siege of Gaza, the boat has officially entered Egyptian waters and remains in close contact with international legal and human rights institutions to monitor its safety. The group warned that any Israeli move to intercept the ship would constitute "a blatant violation of international humanitarian law."

"We are doing this because, no matter what odds we are against, we have to keep trying," Thunberg said during a press conference prior to departure. "Because the moment we stop trying is when we lose our humanity," she continued. "And no matter how dangerous this mission is, it's not even near as dangerous as the silence of the entire world in the face of the live-streamed genocide."

Related News

Gaza’s starvation crisis: Why food aid alone can’t stop the deaths

Trump to 'take over' Gaza aid effort, citing Israeli inadequacy: Axios

The Israeli military has indicated that it will not allow the ship to dock in Gaza, claiming it is "prepared and ready for a wide range of scenarios" to enforce what it calls a "maritime security blockade." 

Read more: 'Israel' threatens to block Gaza-bound aid flotilla

Global solidarity

The presence of French Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan on board has also drawn attention. Hassan, of Palestinian origin, was barred from entry into occupied Palestine earlier this year for her support of the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement. Her vocal support for Palestine and criticism of Israeli policies have made her a target of right-wing media and political attacks.

Public support for the mission has been visible and vocal. Actor Liam Cunningham, of Game of Thrones fame, joined the crowd in Catania to see the ship off. "Governments are not standing up for what their legal obligations are under international law, so it takes a disparate group like this to try and achieve it," Cunningham said in a video posted by the flotilla. "Anybody who was fearful of using the word genocide, that's gone now."

At a concert in Ireland, US rapper Macklemore screened a video of Thunberg on the flotilla calling on people worldwide to stand against the "genocide" and to "free Palestine".

Siege breakers

This voyage follows a pattern of prior attempts to reach Gaza by sea, including the infamous 2010 Mavi Marmara incident, in which Israeli commandos boarded a Turkish aid ship in international waters, killing nine activists. More recently, another FFC vessel, the Conscience, was reportedly hit by two drone strikes in May just outside Malta's territorial waters. The group accused "Israel" of being behind the attack, an allegation "Israel" has neither confirmed nor denied. Thunberg had originally planned to be on the Conscience but changed vessels before departure.

If unimpeded, the Madleen is expected to reach the Gaza coastline within 48 hours. In a statement posted Friday on X, the International Committee to Break the Siege stressed the mission's urgency, "We're on our way to Gaza — expected to arrive in about 48 hours. These next hours are critical. Your voice is our protection. Let apartheid Israel know: the world is watching. Your silence gives them cover. Don't stay silent."

"We're on our way to break the siege and create a people's humanitarian corridor."

Sky News speaks to activist Thiago Avila who is onboard a ship, alongside Greta Thunberg, carrying aid to Gaza
https://t.co/4zlc0aBaZB

📺 Sky 501 pic.twitter.com/Rb6Ykxsr1Y

— Sky News (@SkyNews) June 7, 2025

Despite military threats, the Madleen continues its journey off Egypt's coast, representing more than just a shipment of supplies. It is a moral and political statement against the machinery of siege, war, and impunity, a message that global silence is complicity, and that ordinary people are willing to risk their lives to defend the rights of Palestinians.

  • blockade on Gaza
  • Humanitarian aid
  • Greta Thunberg
  • Madleen
  • Gaza

Most Read

Why is Choose Love using a firm with British and US intelligence connections to run a pro-Palestine musical event? (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Together for Palestine: Troubling questions about the organisers of this huge event

  • Opinion
  • 17 Sep 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

12 Israeli soldiers killed, wounded in Resistance operation in Gaza

  • Politics
  • 18 Sep 2025
Masked Hamas fighters wave their flags during a protest against the Mideast plan announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, after the Friday prayer at the main road in Gaza City, Friday, Feb. 14, 2020. (AP)

Gaza will be the graveyard of Israeli soldiers: Al-Qassam

  • Politics
  • 18 Sep 2025
The poster published by Al-Qassam Brigades, showing all the Israeli captives left in Gaza, September 20, 2025 (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam releases captives 'farewell photo' amid Gaza City operation

  • Politics
  • 20 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Spain approves 'total arms embargo' over Gaza genocide
Politics

Spain approves 'total arms embargo' on 'Israel' over Gaza genocide

Proposed US AUMF could authorize military action in over 60 countries
US & Canada

Proposed US AUMF could authorize Trump to attack 60+ countries: RS

trump vaccines
US & Canada

WHO, EU reject Trump claim linking Tylenol use in pregnancy to autism

Alawite man walks at an alley in Sumariya, a suburb northwest of Damascus, Syria, Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Human rights abuses against Syria's Alawites continue: UN committee

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS