Palestinians sit on the rubble of the Azzam family home that was hit by Israeli strikes in central Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip on May 29, 2025. (Credit: AFP/Bashar Taleb.)
Franco-Palestinian MEP Rima Hassan has announced she will board a humanitarian ship on Sunday heading to Gaza, accompanied by Swedish activist Greta Thunberg.
"I will be with Greta Thunberg, the crew of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition," a group of NGOs protesting the blockade of the Gaza Strip, and "other activists," the LFI politician explained on X.
The mission aims to fulfill "several objectives: denouncing the humanitarian blockade and ongoing genocide, the impunity enjoyed by the state of Israel, and raising awareness in the global and international opinion," added Rima Hassan, whose positions on the Middle East have repeatedly stirred controversy.
In early May, a ship on which the Freedom Flotilla Coalition hoped to pick up supporters — including Greta Thunberg — in Malta, then journey to Gaza, was damaged. Activists suspected an Israeli drone attack. "To ensure our safety, as well as the success of our mission, we need maximum citizen mobilization for this initiative," Rima Hassan concluded on X.
Amid intensifying campaigns in the besieged Palestinian territory, Israel partially lifted last week's total blockade of aid to Gaza imposed since March 2. On Wednesday evening, thousands of hungry Palestinians looted a World Food Programme (WFP) warehouse.
The White House announced Thursday that Israel had accepted a ceasefire proposal for Gaza put forth by U.S. President Donald Trump, while discussions continue with Hamas. In February, Rima Hassan was turned away upon entering Israel, after attempting entry as part of a European Parliament delegation visit.
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