Gaza-bound Sumud flotilla resumes sailing from Greek waters in challenge to Israeli blocka
Source: Haaretz latest headlines
The Global Sumud Flotilla, a private fleet of around 50 vessels carrying humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip, resumed its journey on Sunday, according to ship-tracking service MarineTraffic.
The flotilla was forced to pause its journey in Greek waters on Friday and Saturday due to stormy winds and logistical challenges, organizers said.
Following repairs and an improvement in weather conditions, the flotilla set sail again for Gaza. Organisers said that Greek vessels had now joined the enterprise, meaning the flotilla was “complete.”
Haaretz Weekly
Have American Jews pushed Israel toward extremism or moderation?
Haaretz Weekly
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It remains unclear whether Furor, a deep-sea patrol boat dispatched by the Spanish Navy, and Virginio Fasan, a frigate dispatched by the Italian navy, have reached the flotilla.
Both ships are intended to assist if necessary, though how close they may approach the Israel-imposed blockade off Gaza is uncertain.
Israel had warned it may use force to prevent the flotilla from reaching Gaza’s coastline.
The vessels were attacked by 12 drones last week, 30 nautical miles off the Greek island of Gavdos, said Marikaiti Stasinou, a spokesperson for March to Gaza Greece, which is part of the flotilla.
According to the organizers, Israel attacked them with “flash bombs, explosive flares and suspected chemicals” as it sailed through international waters off the coast of Crete. The activists believe the attacks were intended to harm the sails.
Global Sumud Flotilla published a video on its social media channels, showing footage of a blast caused by “flashbangs … a non-lethal explosive device used mainly by police or military forces. It is designed to incapacitate people temporarily without causing permanent injury, making it useful in crowd control or hostage rescue operations.”
The activists also said “unidentified drones and communications jamming” were used, saying Israel is engaging in psychological warfare. “We are witnessing these psychological operations firsthand, right now, but we will not be intimidated,” the flotilla said in a Telegram post.
Last week, Israel’s Foreign Ministry referred to the fleet as the “Hamas flotilla”. According to the statement, fleet “rejected Israel’s peaceful proposal”, referring to a proposal to transfer aid on behalf of the flotilla to the Gaza Strip, via the southern Israeli port cities like Ashkelon or Ashdod
As a result, the ministry stated that “Israel will take the necessary measures to prevent its entry into the combat zone and to stop any violation of a lawful naval blockade, while making every possible effort to ensure the safety of its passengers.”
Cyprus has also been discussed as an alternative staging point.
The flotilla organizers have rejected both options, insisting on delivering supplies directly to Gaza.
The Italian delegation stated, “Our mission stays true to its original goal of breaking (Israel’s) illegal siege and delivering humanitarian aid to the besieged population of Gaza.”
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