The NGO Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) on Sunday set off a ship from Catania, Sicily, to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. On board are various human rights advocates, such as prominent activist Greta Thunberg and European Parliament Member Rima Hassan, saying they are opposing Israel’s escalation through an act of “civil resistance.”

The FFC’s Madleen intends to deliver “urgently needed supplies for the people of Gaza, including baby formula, flour, rice, diapers, women’s sanitary products, water desalination kits, medical supplies, crutches, and children’s prosthetics.” The NGO’s primary aim is to spread awareness of the ongoing conflict in Gaza while condemning Israel’s violence and its humanitarian blockade against the Palestinian people, through peaceful civil resistance.

The movement draws its mission from the 2010 Flotilla Incident, when Israel attacked a flotilla of six ships, carrying 10 tonnes of humanitarian aid and being manned by 700 pro-Palestinian militants, resulting in the death of nine people. The Israeli government justified the actions as legitimate within its rights to impose a naval blockade imposed in 2008. While the blockade was declared as legal by an UN inquiry, it, on the other hand, stated that “it would be illegal if its imposition was intended to starve or to collectively punish the civilian population.” It underscored the necessity of permitting vessels into Gaza that carried humanitarian aid. A further report by the UN Human Rights Council declared the attack in the 2010 incident as unlawful.

Greta Thunberg, having gained worldwide attention for her involvement in the Fridays for Future movement, is one of the many volunteers who joined FFC’s efforts to sail to the Gaza Strip. Thunberg stated that she is on board the Madleen because “the world cannot be silent bystanders. Every single one of us has a moral obligation to do everything we can to fight for a free Palestine.” During a speech before the Madleen’s departure, Thunberg urged the international community to further push the Israeli government to create a humanitarian corridor to ensure the delivery of further humanitarian aid to the Gazan people.

In a video message, Thunberg and British-Australian Doctor Mohammed Mustafa, among others, further expressed their solidarity and appreciation for the medical personnel working in Gaza.

The NGO stressed that governments should not interfere with the ship’s safe passage and provided a tracking link for the boat.