Gaza: The Global Sumud Flotilla, an international initiative aimed at reaching the Gaza Strip to lift the Israeli siege and deliver humanitarian aid, is about 150 nautical miles away from the enclave and closing to a high-risk zone, according to a statement from the organization on Tuesday.

According to Anadolu Agency, Roos Ykema, an activist from the Netherlands, stated in a video message, "Today, we are going to approach the 150 nautical mile zone, which is the zone after which Israel is known to start kidnapping people from boats." This comes after an incident on July 26 when Israeli naval forces intercepted the Handala aid ship as it neared Gaza's shores, escorting it to Ashdod Port. The ship had managed to reach about 70 nautical miles from Gaza, surpassing the distance covered by the Madleen, which was stopped at 110 miles.

The activist further urged, "I call on my government to demand safe passage. I demand of Israel to lift the siege, to stop the blockade, stop the genocide, allow food into Gaza, because the Palestinian people are starving." According to the International Committee for Breaking the Siege on Gaza, the flotilla is currently about 420 kilometers (nearly 226 nautical miles) away from reaching its destination.

As a precaution against potential Israeli attacks, the Global Sumud Flotilla has begun 24/7 live-streaming from some of its boats on YouTube. "As we approach the high-risk 'orange zone' we need eyes on the Flotilla! Witness provides protection," the organization declared, urging global supporters to pressure their governments and international institutions to ensure the safety and protection of the vessels.

The flotilla, consisting of about 50 ships with over 500 activists onboard, set sail earlier this month with the intent of breaking Israel's blockade and delivering humanitarian aid, especially medical supplies, to the Gaza Strip. The dire situation in Gaza has escalated, with over 66,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children, reportedly killed by Israeli forces since October 2023. This relentless bombardment has made the area uninhabitable, resulting in starvation and the spread of diseases.