(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
Ships from Italy have teamed up with boats from Greece, Spain, and Tunisia to deliver much-needed humanitarian aid to Gaza. This bold mission, part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, aims to challenge Israel’s strict blockade of the area, as reported by Euronews.
On Saturday, 18 boats loaded with supplies set off from Sicily, carrying four European Parliament members (MEPs) alongside the crew. They joined a larger group of vessels that left from other countries in late August. In total, the flotilla features 34 boats, about 600 people on board, and around 500 tons of aid like food, medicine, and essentials for Gaza’s struggling residents.
Organizers call this the biggest effort yet to break through the Israeli blockade, which tightly controls Gaza’s shores and waters. But challenges loom large. Back in June, a single-boat aid attempt got stopped by Israeli forces—the crew faced detention for illegal entry before heading home. Now, Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has warned that activists could be labeled terrorists, jailed, and stripped of basic rights like TV, radio, or even food choices.
Tensions ramped up even before departure. Two flotilla boats reportedly suffered drone attacks in Tunisian waters, though the details remain unclear.
Among the brave souls on board are MEPs like Italy’s Annalisa Corrado from the Socialists and Democrats, Benedetta Scuderi from Greens/EFA, France’s Emma Fourreau from The Left, and Ireland’s Lynn Boylan from The Left. Boylan, who leads the Parliament’s delegation on relations with Palestine, is on a legal monitoring boat to record any human rights violations or breaches of international law.
Scuderi shared her fears openly: “I think it’s normal to be afraid of facing the Israeli government, which sets no limits in its destructive actions, acts contrary to international law, and has already stated it wants to treat us as terrorists. But we will not be intimidated.”
Corrado echoed that sentiment: “Of course, I’m scared. However, this is a mission worth making oneself available for, even if the consequences may be heavy or difficult to manage. I cannot even imagine the fear Palestinian children feel under the bombs or when being amputated of their limbs without anaesthesia.”
These MEPs hope the flotilla sparks global pressure on Israel and pushes the European Union to step up. Corrado called for suspending association agreements with Israel, recognizing the State of Palestine, and ensuring full access for humanitarian aid to Gaza. Scuderi urged the EU to end trade and military deals with Israel and impose sanctions on its government, adding that EU chief Ursula von der Leyen’s promises to target extremist ministers and violent settlers are a start but not enough.
Support is coming from home too. Spain’s Foreign Affairs Minister Jose Manuel Albares assured consular and diplomatic protection for Spanish citizens on the boats. Italy’s Foreign Affairs Minister Antonio Tajani told parliament that their embassy in Tel Aviv is on alert, urging Israeli authorities to respect the rights of all Italians aboard. Two Italian MPs are also part of the flotilla crew.
As the boats head toward Gaza, the world watches this high-stakes humanitarian push amid ongoing tensions in the Israel-Palestine conflict.
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