Gaza: An international aid flotilla is approaching the shores of the blockaded Gaza Strip and will not accept Israeli threats to halt its voyage, an organizer said Tuesday. Nabil al-Shannoufi, a member of the Maghreb branch of the Global Sumud Flotilla, told Anadolu aboard the ship Deir Yassin that participants are determined to reach the enclave despite Israeli threats.
According to Anadolu Agency, Israel's public broadcaster KAN reported that the military is preparing to intercept the convoy and tow the vessels to Ashdod Port in southern Israel. Shannoufi stated that the morale of activists aboard the flotilla is rising as ships near the 'red zones' where Israeli forces typically intercept vessels. He noted that three warships were accompanying the flotilla - one Greek and two believed to be Spanish and Italian. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced that Spain would deploy a warship from Cartagena in southeastern Spain to help protect the flotilla.
Shannoufi highlighted that Israel is expected to prepare for 'the largest humanitarian flotilla in modern history,' both in terms of the number of ships and activists on board. He described the mission as a diplomatic challenge that could deepen Israel's global isolation. Israeli reactions began 'even before we reached Greece,' including attempted attacks on the ships. When those efforts failed, he said, Israel 'stepped back to reconsider scenarios,' including waiting for the flotilla in Gaza's territorial waters.
Last week, the flotilla reported that nine of its ships were attacked by drone strikes, causing material damage to several vessels. The flotilla did not disclose the timing or the party behind the attacks, while Israel, which has repeatedly threatened to block the convoy, remained silent. Shannoufi ruled out a large-scale Israeli assault on the flotilla due to the presence of accompanying warships from some European countries, acknowledging that these ships may not provide direct protection but could trigger a diplomatic crisis if attacked.
He stated that the warships are expected to escort the flotilla only up to 12 nautical miles from Gaza's waters, after which 'we'll be on our own.' Shannoufi emphasized that 'reaching Gaza is inevitable,' and that the fleet is prepared for every scenario. He rejected Israel's proposal to unload aid at Ashdod Port in exchange for halting the voyage, citing a lack of trust in Israel's policies.
Shannoufi outlined three messages from the flotilla, emphasizing the power of grassroots mobilization and the potential of popular pressure worldwide to influence Israel. He called for broad boycotts and urged the collective power of Arabs and Muslims to 'change the equation.' His third message was to Gazans, expressing solidarity and the desire to break the blockade and embrace the people of Gaza.
Dozens of ships carrying humanitarian aid, including medical supplies, have been sailing toward Gaza in a rare coordinated effort, marking the first such large-scale approach in nearly 18 years of blockade. Israel tightened the siege further on March 2 by closing all border crossings and blocking food, medicine, and aid, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The Israeli army has been responsible for over 66,000 Palestinian deaths since October 2023, rendering the enclave uninhabitable and leading to starvation and the spread of diseases.