As Gaza endures one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent memory, the international civil society’s efforts to challenge the lockdown have gained new urgency. The Italian ship’s participation in Al Sumoud Freedom Flotira highlights the steady efforts of popular groups to break Israeli lockdown in Gaza.
“Mandela Mandela,” the grandson of late South African leader Nelson Mandela, also joined this humanitarian mission.
According to the Al-Sumoud fleet, “The vessel will join dozens of boats and hundreds of people from 44 countries to strengthen aid efforts in Gaza.”
The main convoys of the Al Sumoud fleet departed from the port of Barcelona in Spain on Sunday, and another convoy was set up, departing from Genoa, Italy on Monday. The third convoy will depart Tunisia on Sunday and join a group on its way to Gaza. The fleet includes the Freedom Frotira Union, the global Gaza movement and the Malaysian organization Al Sumoud Nusantara, all focusing on providing humanitarian assistance to Gaza’s besieged population. The UN has previously warned that the aid provided is well below the level necessary to deal with the hunger crisis exacerbated by Israeli restrictions on humanitarian aid.
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