Ankara: The Global Sumud aid flotilla bound for Gaza has reached a point north of Marsa Matrouh on Egypt's Mediterranean coast, its organizers announced Sunday. The fleet is expected to sail within hours to waters north of the city of Alexandria, the International Committee for Breaking the Siege on Gaza said on the US social media company X's platform. 'We expect the Zionists to commit a war crime against us at any time as we are getting closer to Gaza,' it added.
According to Anadolu Agency, the Global Sumud Flotilla stated: "Our lead vessels, OHWAYLA and ALL IN, are now just 366 nautical miles (678 kilometers) from Gaza, with an estimated arrival in 3 to 4 days." The fleet comprises 44 vessels, bolstered by the recent launch of two new boats sailing towards the flotilla. It is anticipated that in just two days, the flotilla will enter a high-risk zone, warranting global vigilance and solidarity.
Earlier, the committee announced plans to dispatch a boat carrying journalists and medical professionals to the Israel-blockaded Gaza Strip. This vessel, set to sail on Oct. 1, will carry over 100 international media workers and doctors, aiming to highlight the humanitarian plight in Gaza.
Israel's public broadcaster KAN reported that Israel is preparing to intercept and take control of the flotilla, which is expected to reach the shores of the Gaza Strip in four days, coinciding with the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur. The broadcaster noted that Israel's naval commando unit Shayetet 13 has conducted field exercises in recent days 'to seize the ships at sea,' with an objective to 'minimize harm to participants.'
It was further reported that Israel recently approached the flotilla organizers with an offer to transfer humanitarian aid via Ashkelon Port, Cyprus, or even through the Vatican, but the organizers refused, which Tel Aviv perceives as a deliberate provocation. If executed, the anticipated Israeli operation would replicate previous interceptions of aid vessels, such as the Madleen and Handala in June and July, respectively.
The flotilla embarked earlier this month with the mission to break Israel's blockade on Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid, especially medical supplies, to the beleaguered enclave. Since March 2, Israel has fully closed Gaza's crossings, exacerbating famine conditions by blocking food and aid convoys. Only limited supplies are occasionally permitted, often looted by armed groups that Gaza authorities accuse Israel of protecting.
As an occupying power, Israel has a history of intercepting ships headed to Gaza, seizing vessels, and deporting activists, actions critics label as piracy. The Israeli army's operations have resulted in the deaths of over 66,000 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, in Gaza since October 2023. The continuous bombardment has made the enclave uninhabitable, leading to starvation and the spread of diseases.