'We do not fear them' - flotilla activists in bid to reach Gaza
Under the heat of the Mediterranean sun, a small group of activists is currently making its way by water to one of the the most dangerous places on earth.
Their destination? Gaza.
Their mission? To "break the siege and to create a people's humanitarian corridor".
This small sailboat carrying 12 volunteers from around the world - including climate campaigner Greta Thunberg - is named the Madleen.
It is the latest ship to attempt the audacious crossing to Gaza as part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition.
"When you see people starving to death, you bring them food," Brazilian activist Thiago Ávila tells RTÉ News from the ship, which set sail from Sicily last Sunday and aims to arrive in Gaza on Monday morning.
"We're bringing food, medicine, crutches, prosthetics for amputated children and water filters," Thiago said, though he acknowledges it is just a "drop in the ocean" of what is required.
"We are (on) a small boat of 18 metres, but it is carrying the hope of millions and millions of people."
However, the Madleen faces significant obstacles in reaching its destination.
In a statement to RTÉ News, Israel's Defense Forces said it intended to enforce a "security naval blockade" on Gaza and is "prepared for a wide range of scenarios".
Despite that, Thiago remains defiant.
"We do not fear them. They can't threaten us. In the end, we know that we have the social majorities of the world with us."
What is the Freedom Flotilla Coalition?
The Madleen ship was launched by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), which describes itself as a "grassroots people-to-people solidarity movement composed of campaigns and initiatives to end the blockade of Gaza".
It has been organising flotillas since 2010 with the aim of breaking the Israeli maritime blockade on Gaza.
The FFC has emphasised that all volunteers and crew on board the Madleen are trained in non-violence and are sailing "unarmed in a peaceful act of civil resistance against Israel's actions in Gaza".
The launch of the Madleen in Italy last weekend received media attention around the world.
Hope Greta and her friends can swim! https://t.co/Noab4QyJtV
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) June 1, 2025
It was also attended by a number of Irish people who showed their support for the mission, including activist Caoimhe Butterly, actor Liam Cunningham and Senator Lynn Ruane.
However, the Madleen has also attracted criticism from supporters of Israel, most notably from US Republican senator Lindsey Graham, who was rebuked for his social media on the launch.
Damage to previous FFC ship
Last month, another vessel operated by the group, the Conscience, caught fire before it was due to set sail for Gaza.
The ship had been en route to Malta to collect a large contingent of activists, including Greta Thunberg, when the incident occurred in the early hours of 2 May.
According to the FFC, the fire was caused by an Israeli-operated drone.
"While it was 14 nautical miles from the coast of Malta in international waters, it came under attack," said Huwaida Arraf, a spokesperson for the Freedom Flotilla.
"A drone fired two missiles at the front of the ship, igniting a fire and compromising the hull."
Israel has not responded to requests for comment.
Images posted online by the FFC appear to show damage to the hull of the ship.
The Maltese government has confirmed that its Vessel Traffic Services received a mayday call from the Conscience just after midnight on 2 May, "reporting a fire on the bow while outside territorial waters".
A tug boat arrived on the scene and began the firefighting operation, and all crew were confirmed safe.
After two weeks at sea, the ship was permitted to dock in Malta, and its crew and passengers disembarked safely.
Irish involvement in previous flotillas
Since the Freedom Flotilla Coalition was established in 2010, Irish people have been involved in a number of attempted operations.
Five Irish activists were detained in Israel when soldiers took control of the MV Rachel Corrie, which had been attempting to deliver aid to Gaza in 2010.
The vessel had been following a flotilla of aid vessels which was raided by Israeli troops the week previous.
Nine people were killed in the incident and 30 wounded. Both sides accused the other of causing the deadly violence.
All passengers on the MV Rachel Corrie returned home safely.
The following year in 2011, an Irish ship named MV Saoirse was damaged while docked in a Greek port - an incident described by the activists as "deliberate sabotage".
Some of the crew attempted another crossing on the Saoirse, which was later intercepted by the Israeli Navy in what was a "violent and dangerous" operation, according to those on board.
People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy (then a Socialist Party MEP) and former Ireland rugby player Trevor Hogan were among 14 Irish activists detained in an Israeli jail for a number of days.
Recalling the incident, Trevor Hogan said: "Initially we all were very hopeful that we might actually get through, and then on the fifth morning, we saw the naval ship around the horizon, and it just escalated from there".
"We were essentially then chased down and kidnapped when we were still in international waters.
"They wanted us to sign a document to say that we'd entered Israel illegally, which was completely lies."
Despite the tense and difficult encounter, Trevor said he remained committed to the objectives of the operation.
"In the moment, you don't actually feel too afraid, because you know you're doing the right thing - you're standing up for justice."
Now, almost 14 years on, he says he admires the bravery of those on board the Madleen, adding: "To me it's even more courageous to go out there now."
He says it is vitally important that the world stands together to reject and punish the actions of the Israeli government in Gaza, where Palestinians are "suffering the most horrendous starvation".
He hopes that the efforts by civil society groups like the Freedom Flotilla can give some small comfort of support to the Palestinians, while also pushing governments of the world to "actually respond and impose sanctions".
"So all these small actions, they can help."
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