Gaza-bound sailing mission with Swedish activist encounters rough waters

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg is currently aboard the Madleen, a sailing vessel operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, on a challenging voyage to Gaza.

The ship departed from Catania, Sicily, carrying 12 people including actor Liam Cunningham, known for his role in Game of Thrones, Caliber.Az reports, citing Israeli media.

The Madleen is named in honor of Gaza’s first fisherwoman and is identified as a UK-registered 18-meter sailboat called Barcarole, per maritime industry news site Marine Executive.

The voyage spans an estimated 2,000 kilometers, and the coalition has equipped the vessel with an advanced tracking system developed in partnership with Forensic Architecture to ensure safety, maintain transparency, and hold any potential aggressors accountable. However, as of June 5, the ship’s tracker has reportedly stopped working, raising concerns over the vessel’s status.

Israel has declared it will not permit the Madleen to dock in Gaza, marking another chapter in a series of activist attempts to break the maritime blockade on the enclave. A notable previous effort in 2010 ended tragically when Israeli forces raided the Mavi Marmara, resulting in the deaths of nine activists and the ship’s seizure.

This 2025 flotilla has already faced setbacks. In May, the Conscience ship reported damage and loss of power off Malta, with activists claiming drone attacks. The Madleen crew reportedly grew alarmed when a drone circled their vessel near Crete between the nights of June 3-4. Activists posted videos expressing distress, but it was later confirmed that the drone belonged to Greece’s Hellenic Coast Guard, as the Madleen was about 68 kilometres outside Greek territorial waters.

While Thunberg has experience with long sea journeys—she famously sailed across the Atlantic in 2019 to attend a climate conference—other crew members’ sailing expertise remains unclear. The journey could take over four days, as sailing speeds vary between six and twelve knots, covering 100 to 250 nautical miles daily.

Challenges such as engine troubles, limited food and water, or security concerns may still force the vessel to turn back before reaching Gaza, underscoring the uncertainty surrounding this high-profile mission.

By Vafa Guliyeva