Ships belonging to the Global Sumud Flotilla departed once again from southern Turkiye on Thursday in a renewed attempt to deliver humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza, following earlier interceptions by Israeli forces in international waters.
The flotilla had initially sailed from Spain on April 12, but Israeli forces intercepted several vessels, taking more than 100 pro-Palestinian activists to Crete while detaining two others in Israel.
Activists aboard the ships departing from the Turkish port city of Marmaris said the mission was aimed at bringing urgently needed aid to Gaza at a time when international attention had shifted to other regional crises, including the Iran conflict.
âItâs very important that whatâs happening around the world is not allowing us to see Gaza for the situation as it is,â said Susan Abdullah, a member of the flotillaâs steering committee.
âThe blockade is still on. The aid is not coming in.â
Katy Davidson, an activist representing the British delegation on the flotilla, said the group had previously been intercepted between Sicily and Crete and criticised the response of the British government, saying it âdid nothingâ.
Davidson added that even if the flotilla was prevented from reaching Gaza, any interception by Israeli forces would still help draw international attention to the humanitarian situation faced by Palestinians in the besieged enclave.
