Tunis: A massive civilian flotilla is set to depart for the Gaza Strip at the end of August in a new bid to break Israel's blockade that has left the territory's entire population on the verge of famine.
According to Anadolu Agency, the announcement was made during a press conference in Tunis hosted by the Joint Action Coordination for Palestine, a civil society coordination platform. Members of the Global Sumud Flotilla revealed that activists from 44 countries have signed up for this coordinated effort. Haifa Mansouri, one of the organizers, stated that 'this summer, dozens of boats, both large and small, will set sail from ports across the world, converging on Gaza in the largest civilian flotilla of its kind in history.'
The flotilla unites four initiatives: the Maghreb Sumud Flotilla, the Global Movement to Gaza, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, and Sumud Nusantara. Mansouri explained that their collective goal is to 'break the illegal blockade on Gaza by sea, establish a humanitarian corridor, and confront the ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people.' The first convoy is scheduled to leave Spanish ports on August 31, followed by another from Tunisian ports on September 4.
Seif Abu Keshk, another organizer, mentioned that more than 6,000 activists have already registered online to join. 'Participants will undergo training at departure points, with solidarity events and encampments planned along the way,' he said. 'This is a renewed attempt to pressure governments by sending dozens of ships and thousands of activists to break Gaza's blockade,' he added.
The announcement closely follows an incident where Israeli naval forces intercepted the Handala aid ship on July 26 as it approached Gaza's shores, escorting it to Ashdod Port. The vessel had reached roughly 70 nautical miles from Gaza, surpassing the distance covered by the Madleen, which reached 110 miles before being stopped, as reported by the International Committee to Break the Siege on Gaza.
Rejecting international calls for a ceasefire, the Israeli army has maintained a severe offensive on Gaza since October 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of nearly 61,000 Palestinians, almost half of them women and children. The military campaign has devastated the enclave, pushing it to the brink of famine.
In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.