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In a bold move to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, climate advocate Greta Thunberg, alongside 11 other activists, set sail on Sunday afternoon on a mission to "break Israel's siege" of the region. The sailing vessel, Madleen, managed by the activist group Freedom Flotilla Coalition, departed from the Italian port of Catania, located in Sicily. Their objective is to reach Gaza's shores to deliver aid and raise global awareness about the dire conditions facing the territory's residents.

During a press conference held before departure, Thunberg delivered an emotional speech. "We are doing this because, no matter what odds we are against, we have to keep trying," she said, tears welling up as she spoke. "Because the moment we stop trying is when we lose our humanity. 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," she added.

Israel, which disputes any allegations of genocide, categorizes such accusations as a form of antisemitic "blood libel." In an attempt to provide some relief, Israel slightly relaxed its blockade of Gaza in mid-May, allowing limited humanitarian aid. Despite this, experts warn that the risk of famine in Gaza remains severe without increased assistance. Currently, UN agencies and major aid groups face significant challenges in delivering aid due to Israeli restrictions, local lawlessness, and widespread looting.

Joining Thunberg on this high-stakes journey are several notable figures, including "Game of Thrones" actor Liam Cunningham and French MEP Rima Hassan, of Palestinian descent. Hassan has faced prior exclusions from Israel owing to her outspoken criticism against the Israeli military actions in Gaza. Their journey is expected to take around seven days, barring any interception.

Thunberg had initially planned to join a similar venture last month, but the mission was thwarted when another vessel, named "Conscience," suffered damage due to an alleged drone attack while in international waters near Malta. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition attributed this attack to Israel, exacerbating tensions over the ongoing attempts to bring aid to Gaza, which has endured almost 19 months of conflict.

Israel justifies its blockade as a measure to exert pressure on Hamas to release hostages captured during an attack on October 7, 2023. That assault resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals in southern Israel and the abduction of 251 people. Presently, Hamas holds 58 hostages, with 23 believed to be alive. Israel's subsequent offensive has reportedly resulted in the deaths of over 52,000 Palestinians and extensive destruction across the territory.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition is not an isolated effort but part of a broader strategy to dismantle the Gaza blockade. Activist Thiago Avila points to the planned Global March to Gaza, an international initiative involving various professionals, which aims to reach the Rafah crossing from Egypt by mid-June. The objective is to stage a massive protest demanding an end to the Gaza offensive and the reopening of the border.

As the mission unfolds, the activists aboard Madleen remain resolute in their commitment to highlighting and addressing the human suffering in Gaza, hoping to ignite a change in international policy and aid delivery to the beleaguered territory.