Global Sumud Flotilla sets sail from Tunisia to break Israel’s Gaza siege

Activists from 40 countries sail from Tunisia to defy Israel’s blockade and present assistance to Gaza.

An planetary convoy of boats, the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), has acceptable sail from Tunisia, aiming to defy Israel’s siege connected Gaza and present humanitarian aid.

The GSF, which departed Bizerte Port connected Saturday, includes much than 40 vessels carrying betwixt 500 and 700 activists from much than 40 countries, according to Anadolu.

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Participants accidental they are determined to interruption Israel’s blockade of Gaza.

Among those joining is Franco-Palestinian lawmaker Rima Hassan, a subordinate of the French National Assembly, who announced her information aft boarding successful Tunisia.

“Our governments are liable for the continuation of the genocide successful Gaza,” Hassan wrote connected X, accusing European leaders of soundlessness successful the look of Israeli attacks connected assistance convoys. In June, she joined different Gaza-bound vessel that Israeli forces seized successful planetary waters.

he flotilla is supported by salient activists, including Swedish clime campaigner Greta Thunberg, who has agelong been vilified by Israeli officials for her solidarity with Palestinians.

The flotilla reported this week that 2 of its ships – the Family, which had members of the steering committee connected board, and the Alma – were attacked portion anchored adjacent Tunis.

Activists fishy Israeli involvement, noting that 1 of the vessels was struck by a drone.

Tunisia’s Ministry of the Interior confirmed a “premeditated aggression” and said an probe had been launched.

Despite the attacks, flotilla organisers importune they volition property ahead. “Faced with this inaction, I americium joining this citizens’ initiative, which is the largest humanitarian maritime convoy ever undertaken,” Hassan said.

History of intervention

This is not the archetypal clip Israel has moved to halt specified missions.

In aboriginal June, Israeli naval forces intercepted the Madleen ship successful planetary waters, seizing its assistance supplies and detaining the unit of 12 activists. Another vessel, the Conscience, was struck by drones successful May adjacent Maltese waters, leaving it incapable to proceed its journey.

Organisers accidental the GSF – named aft the Arabic connection for resilience – represents 1 of the boldest challenges yet to Israel’s power of Gaza’s coastline.

The effort comes arsenic the United Nations warns of famine successful Gaza, with much than fractional a cardinal radical facing catastrophic hunger.

Source:

Al Jazeera and quality agencies