A FLEET of 10 civilian vessels carrying 60 passengers, including elected representatives from nine countries, has departed from the Sicilian port of San Giovanni Li Cuti, aiming to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza and deliver urgent humanitarian aid.
AFP reported on Sunday that the mission, coordinated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) in partnership with Thousand Madleens to Gaza (TMTG), is part of a wider campaign to challenge what it describes as Israel’s “illegal siege” of the Palestinian territory.
Among the passengers are members of the European Parliament and legislators from Belgium, France, Ireland, Spain and the United States. The flotilla is en route to join the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) — a broader convoy of approximately 50 ships that set sail earlier this month on a similar mission to deliver essential medical and humanitarian supplies.
In a statement, GSF organisers confirmed that the vessels had resumed their journey following minor mechanical delays. They were, as of Saturday, approximately 463 nautical miles from Gaza, and are expected to enter what they describe as a “high-risk zone” within the next two days.
“This is where global vigilance and solidarity are most needed,” the group said via social media platform X, formerly Twitter.
The mission comes amid mounting international alarm over conditions in Gaza, where crossings have been sealed by Israel since 2 March, preventing the entry of food, medical aid, and other basic supplies. Sporadic convoys have occasionally been permitted but are often intercepted or looted en route — actions Palestinian authorities claim occur under Israeli military protection.
The United Nations earlier this week called for a formal investigation into reports of drone attacks on vessels in Greek waters linked to the Global Sumud Flotilla, which activists have blamed on Israel.
Bernama - Anadolu cited today that since October 2023, Israeli military operations have killed nearly 66,000 Palestinians in Gaza — the majority of them women and children — according to Gaza health officials. The near-total blockade has pushed the enclave towards famine, with widespread outbreaks of disease and the collapse of basic infrastructure.
Israel has a long-standing policy of intercepting maritime aid convoys to Gaza, frequently seizing ships and deporting activists. Human rights groups and legal experts have described these actions as violations of international law, with some likening them to acts of piracy.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which includes organisations and individuals from over 20 countries, says its efforts are peaceful and aimed solely at upholding the rights of Palestinians under international humanitarian law.
In 2010, a similar mission led by the coalition ended in tragedy when Israeli forces boarded the Mavi Marmara in international waters, killing 10 Turkish activists — an incident that drew widespread condemnation and legal challenges.
As the new flotilla approaches Gaza, international observers are watching closely for signs of escalation, amid growing calls for an end to Israel’s siege and a permanent ceasefire. - September 28, 2025
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