Rome: The International Committee for Breaking the Siege of Gaza announced Sunday that a new wave of ships will set sail from southern Italy next Wednesday to challenge the blockade of the Palestinian enclave, adding to the efforts of the Global Sumud Flotilla.

According to Anadolu Agency, the committee stated that the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), in partnership with the Thousand Madleen to Gaza (TMTG), has announced the launch of the next wave of blockade-breaking ships. This initiative will involve a fleet of vessels scheduled to depart from southern Italy.

The committee emphasized that the departure of this flotilla is the result of cooperation between two global grassroots initiatives, alongside 50 ships already participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla. They also hinted at a forthcoming launch of a ship carrying "a new and innovative idea" at the beginning of October, though further details were not disclosed.

The committee declared that as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza intensifies and the Israeli occupation continues, it is imperative for individuals globally to participate in efforts to breach the blockade and deliver aid to the Gaza Strip. Recently, dozens of vessels have been en route to Gaza as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla.

On September 16, the committee announced plans for the flotilla's ships to converge near Malta and proceed across the Mediterranean towards Gaza's shores, though no specific date was provided. These vessels are transporting humanitarian aid, primarily medical supplies, to the blockaded region.

This flotilla marks the first large-scale maritime effort towards Gaza, which is home to approximately 2.4 million Palestinians enduring an 18-year Israeli blockade, recently intensified. Since October 7, 2023, Israeli actions in Gaza have resulted in over 65,000 Palestinian deaths, predominantly women and children.