Final Gaza flotilla boat obstructed by Israel

The final remaining flotilla boat containing aid continued towards Gaza but was ultimately intercepted by Israeli forces, as reported by Asharq Al-Awsat via Reuters on October 3rd.

The Pro-Palestine activists departed from Barcelona on August 31st as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla — a fleet of a few dozen ships named after the Arabic word for perseverance, “sumud”, which left with the mission of delivering aid to famine-stricken Gaza.

The flotilla was said to have carried activists from 44 different countries. Amongst these activists, prominent global voices such as Swedish activist, Greta Thunberg and leftwing Portuguese politician, Mariana Mortagua, were involved.

On October 2nd roughly 450 activists had been stopped from reaching Gaza. Meanwhile, the flotilla claimed that 42 vessels has been “illegally intercepted.” Furthermore, some aid flotillas heading towards Gaza have previously been hit by drones.

As a result, the remaining ship, the Marinette, was left being the final hope for the mission to break through the Israeli blockade and reach Gaza to deliver aid.

As a response to Israel’s interceptions of ships, protests erupted globally condemning Israel and demanding sanctions. Protests were also reported to have taken place across Karachi, Mexico City and Buenos Aires.

Meanwhile, countries such as Italy and Spain initially sent warships to protect and escort the flotilla.

According to Cyprus, one of the boats of the flotilla docked in the country, containing 21 foreigners. The boat had requested to dock in Larnaca for humanitarian purposes and to refuel.

The conflict in Gaza has seen more than 66,000 people dead according to Palestinian health authorities. As the death toll continues to rise from a shortage of food, water and medical aid, global efforts to deliver aid to the enclave continue.

Asharq Al-Awsat via Reuters, Maghrebi.org