Amnesty International says the Gaza Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) “is an important solidarity initiative that will help to keep the spotlight on Israel’s illegal and suffocating blockade of the occupied Gaza Strip amidst its ongoing genocide”, Al Jazeera reports.

“There can be no justification for blocking humanitarian aid to Gaza amidst catastrophic levels of hunger and suffering and one of the worst manmade humanitarian disasters in the world,” the rights group said in a post on X.

It said the Madleen — the flotilla ship on its way to deliver assistance to Gaza — must be allowed to carry out its mission “free from intimidation or attack”.