Activists set to depart in largest flotilla to deliver Gaza aid
Pro-Palestine activists are set to depart from Spain on August 31st in the largest flotilla yet to deliver aid to Gaza, Al Monitor via Reuters reported.
The Global Sumud Flotilla – taking its name from the Arabic word “sumud” which means perseverance – will carry activists from across 44 countries. Amongst the hundreds of voyagers will be the Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and the Portuguese left-wing politician Mariana Mortagua.
The flotilla will be another attempt to break the blockade Israel has placed upon Gaza.
UN-backed experts have already said Gaza is the site of a “Man-made” famine – created by Israeli military forces. The flotilla is set to deliver life-saving humanitarian aid to the residents of Gaza.
The human rights group, Amnesty International has accused Israel of using famine and starvation as a tactic to commit genocide against Palestinians. What’s more, Israeli data implied that 83% of the people killed by Israel’s military in Gaza have been civilians.
Israel started its naval blockade on Gaza after Hamas took control of the enclave in 2007 – stating it would prevent arms from reaching Hamas.
However, Israel has also intercepted ships carrying humanitarian aid to the residents of Gaza. Overnight on June 8th of this year, Israel intercepted and bordered an aid ship heading to Gaza.
Organisers of the Global Sumud Flotilla have warned volunteers that there is a 50% chance they may end up “struck, arrested, or never making it back.”
The organisers have also stressed that the mission is non-violent and has no government support. The mission aims to be entirely the work of civilians from across the globe.
Many across the globe are hoping the flotilla may bring an end to the humanitarian crisis within Gaza.
Al Monitor via Reuters, Maghrebi.org
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