Global Sumud Flotilla reached closest point to Gaza in 20 years despite Israeli attack: Organizers

By Abdulslam Fayez and Ikram Kouachi

ISTANBUL / ANKARA (AA) - The International Committee to Break the Siege of Gaza said Saturday that the Global Sumud Flotilla succeeded in delivering its message despite an Israeli assault on the convoy, marking the closest approach to the blockaded enclave by solidarity ships in nearly two decades.

On Friday morning, the flotilla organizers announced that the Israeli navy attacked all 42 vessels carrying humanitarian aid and volunteers. The operation involved around 500 activists from more than 45 countries.

Amnesty International and other global organizations called for protection of the flotilla, while the UN said the attack was “unacceptable.”

In a statement, the committee described the Israeli raid as “piracy and kidnapping of the Global Sumud Flotilla … a blatant war crime that violates all humanitarian norms and international law.”

It said Israeli forces had targeted the convoy “from the moment of departure,” employing “false propaganda, threats, drone strikes on ports, and finally storming the ships, assaulting participants, and detaining them.”

Despite the crackdown, the organizers declared the flotilla a success.

“The fleet fulfilled its mission by directing global attention to the central issues: genocide, blockade, and starvation,” the committee said, adding that the ships had reached a point just 8.4 nautical miles from Gaza’s shores, the closest attempt since the Mavi Marmara incident nearly 20 years ago.

Zaher Birawi, head of the committee, said: “The post-flotilla stage will not be like before. Hundreds of thousands are now ready for practical and creative solidarity actions after witnessing the impact a small number of ships had on the occupation. A major step has been taken toward breaking the siege.”

Birawi thanked “the thousands who marched in dozens of capitals worldwide in support of Gaza and in condemnation of Israel’s crimes against international activists,” and confirmed that many detained participants are on hunger strike.

He urged the international community to open an independent investigation into Israeli violations against the flotilla’s activists and to end the siege that has exacerbated Gaza’s humanitarian catastrophe.

Birawi added that preparations are underway for “a new wave of 11 ships advancing in the Mediterranean toward Gaza, including the ‘Ship of Conscience,’ carrying 92 journalists, doctors, and activists in a unique new action.”

Israel has attacked ships attempting to reach Gaza previously as well, detaining activists and seizing vessels. But this marks the first time in 18 years that dozens of boats sailed together in a collective bid to break the blockade imposed on Gaza, home to 2.4 million Palestinians.

Since October 7, 2023, Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza has killed more than 67,000 people, mostly women and children. The siege has also triggered famine that has claimed 459 lives, including 154 children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.