Climate activist Greta Thunberg and Irish Game of Thrones actor Liam Cunningham are said to be among the Freedom Flotilla Coalition's crew voyaging to Gaza to deliver aid this weekend.
Meet some of the panelists, volunteers and supporters joining the launch of ‘Madleen’ in Catania, Sicily about to sail to break Israel's illegal siege of Gaza. ⛵️#AllEyesOnDeck #BreakTheSiege https://t.co/ZoCnr45S3I @RimaHas pic.twitter.com/IqAhOSHBv9
— Freedom Flotilla Coalition (@GazaFFlotilla) May 29, 2025
The crew will journey aboard the Madleen after a drone allegedly destroyed the organization's last vessel from Sicily, according to the organization.
Controversial European lawmaker Rima Hassan will also be joining the journey, she announced on X/Twitter.
️ ce week-end j’embarque à bord du nouveau navire humanitaire avec @GazaFFlotilla le seul moyen de garantir notre sécurité et le succès de cette mission c’est votre mobilisation ! pic.twitter.com/nFL8oWJAW5
— Rima Hassan (@RimaHas) May 28, 2025
Hassan has previously made headlines for her claims that Shiri Bibas and her two young sons, Ariel and Kfir, were not murdered, that European dual nationals should be allowed to join "Palestinian armed resistance" and that Hamas's October 7 massacre was "legitimate."
Hassan, a French politician and Member of European Parliament, came under particular fire as among the 1,200 murdered by Hamas on October 7 were 30 French nationals. A number of French nationals were also held captive by the terror group, including Ofer Kalderon, who was released after 15 months in captivity and was initially taken with his children.
Stay safe, my friends. I am painfully aware of the risks you are taking on behalf of all of us—of Humanity.Diplomats & 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. https://t.co/3QQ2hGgcH9
— Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur oPt (@FranceskAlbs) May 30, 2025
United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories Francesca Albanese wished the flotilla well on their journey.
"Stay safe, my friends. I am painfully aware of the risks you are taking on behalf of all of us—of Humanity. Diplomats & 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."
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition claims drone targeted previous vessel
The coalition claimed that its earlier attempt to sail aid to the Gaza Strip from Malta was thwarted after a drone struck the vessel.
Unconfirmed Arab media reports attributed the strike to Israel. Jerusalem did not comment on the reports.
Some 30 people were on board the ship at the time of the strike, which occurred shortly after midnight, according to the post.
The government of Malta issued a statement later saying 12 crew members and four civilians were on board the vessel, with no casualties reported.
The coalition accused Maltese authorities of preventing the ship from pulling into port to repair the damage and get help for four people aboard who reportedly suffered cuts and burns in the drone attack. The accusation was the first mention of any injuries.
Hamas issued a statement about the incident off Malta and accused Israel of "piracy" and "state terrorism."
JERUSALEM POST STAFF and Reuters contributed to this report.