Human rights activists from Freedom Flotilla gather in Sicily ahead of attempt to bring aid to Gaza

(31 May 2025)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

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ASSOCIATED PRESS
Catania, Italy - 31 May 2025
1. Drone shot of the Freedom Flotilla yacht, the “Madleen,” anchored off the port of Catania ++MUTE++
2. Pan of dinghies around the the “Madleen," activists attaching a Palestinian flag to the front of the yacht
3. Various drone shots of the “Madleen” yacht off the coast of Catania ++MUTE++
4. Pan of Port San Giovanni Li Cuti where activists will hold a gathering ahead of their departure for Gaza on Sunday
STORYLINE:
Activists from a human rights organization, trying to bring aid to the Gaza Strip, gathered in the Italian island of Sicily on Saturday a day before their departure for the Mideast.

Their last attempt to bring aid to Gaza was foiled by a drone attack off the coast of Malta.

This time the group will be using the yacht “Madleen” for the trip. On Saturday activists raised a Palestinian flag on the bow of the ship, anchored in Catania, off the Sicilian coast.

Climate activist Greta Thunberg is scheduled to take part in the events Saturday.

Earlier this month drones attacked the Conscience, another of the group’s ships carrying aid to Gaza in international waters off the coast of Malta.

A nearby tugboat responded to a distress call from the Conscience, which authorities said experienced a fire that was brought under control.

The vessel was carrying 12 crew members and four civilians, the Maltese government said, adding that those aboard refused to leave the ship.

The group was safe and no serious injuries were reported, it said.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition accused Israel of attacking its ship.

The group did not provide evidence for that claim or to show that the fire was caused by drones, but in a video it shared an explosion could be heard. Another video showed a fire blazing.

The Israeli army did not respond to a request for comment.

Hunger and malnutrition have mounted among Gaza’s 2.3 million Palestinians since Israel barred entry of food, fuel, medicine and other supplies nearly three months ago, allowing a trickle of aid in only the past two weeks.

For months, experts have warned that Palestinians in Gaza are on the brink of famine.

Israel eased its blockade on the territory a few weeks ago, but the U.N. humanitarian aid office said Friday that deliveries into Gaza remain severely restricted.

AP Video by Gaetano Pulvirenti
Production by Trisha Thomas

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