Gaza flotilla: What to know about the tide of defiance against Israel
Organisers say 52 mostly small vessels are carrying several hundred participants, including military veterans, doctors, clergy, and writers. Among them is renowned Bangladeshi photographer and Drik Managing Director Shahidul Alam
The Global Sumud Flotilla, a coalition of more than 50 vessels carrying activists, parliamentarians, and journalists from 46 countries, is making its way across the Mediterranean in what organisers describe as the largest attempt yet to break Israel's 18-year maritime blockade of Gaza.
Unlike warships, the flotilla sails with bread, medicine, and symbolic supplies, seeking to draw global attention to the humanitarian catastrophe in the enclave after nearly two years of war.
Organisers say the vessels are carrying several hundred participants, including military veterans, doctors, clergy, and writers. Among them is renowned Bangladeshi photographer and Drik Managing Director Shahidul Alam, who has joined the media flotilla.
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The core boats departed Spain on 1 September and were later joined by others from Italy, Tunisia, and Greece.
Larger vessels are providing logistical support. By Thursday, the bulk of the flotilla was south of Crete, expected to reach Gaza within a week.
High-profile participants include Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau, and members of Italy's parliament and the European Parliament.
Thunberg said on Thursday she expected "attacks to intensify" but added, "We continue undeterred. The closer we are to Gaza, the bigger the risk of escalation."
Organisers reported three drone attacks this month: two in Tunisian waters and one south of Greece.
The latest, they said, caused at least 13 explosions around several boats and "widespread obstruction in communications." No casualties were reported.
Israel insists the blockade is necessary to prevent Hamas from importing arms, dismissing the flotilla as "provocation."
Foreign Ministry official Eden Bar Tal said Thursday, "The real purpose of this flotilla is serving Hamas, certainly not a humanitarian effort. Israel will not allow any vessel to enter the active combat zone."
Spain and Italy have prepared naval vessels to provide assistance if needed. Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto suggested aid could be offloaded in Cyprus, but flotilla organisers rejected the proposal, vowing to continue directly to Gaza.
The EU has warned against the use of force and urged respect for international navigation rights. The UN Human Rights Office has called for an investigation into the reported drone attacks.
The campaign draws on a history of flotilla efforts dating back to 2008, when two small boats briefly broke the siege. The most infamous attempt came in 2010, when Israeli commandos killed nine Turkish activists on the Mavi Marmara.
Today's flotilla, its organisers say, represents a new scale of defiance – a fleet carrying the voices of the world against Gaza's hunger and devastation.
