Istanbul: A British activist involved in the Global Sumud Flotilla, which sought to breach Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip, asserted that participants risked their lives to deliver aid to the region's starving populace. Aaron White expressed these sentiments at Istanbul Airport after his return to Trkiye, emphasizing the humanitarian and awareness-raising goals of the flotilla's mission.

According to Anadolu Agency, White stated the flotilla aimed to reach Gaza despite perceptions of the endeavor as merely symbolic. He criticized Israel for intercepting and removing participants in international waters, arguing that Israel has no authority to do so. White challenged Israel's self-perception as "God's chosen people," labeling them as adversaries in his view and underscoring the importance of resisting what he termed the "Zionist machine."

White highlighted the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, noting the dire conditions faced by children, adults, and even animals due to starvation. The flotilla's seizure by Israeli naval forces, which detained over 470 activists from more than 50 countries, underscores the ongoing struggle to deliver humanitarian aid to the region.

Israel's blockade of Gaza, a territory home to nearly 2.4 million people, has persisted for nearly 18 years. Recent Israeli bombardments since October 2023 have resulted in the deaths of over 67,100 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, exacerbating the enclave's uninhabitability.