Global Samoud Flotilla announces new attempt to break Gaza blockade

The Global Samoud Flotilla has announced plans to attempt breaking the blockade of Gaza next month.

Organisers of the flotilla remain committed to aiding Palestinians in Gaza. They plan to deploy 100 ships and over a thousand aid workers in another effort to breach the blockade.

The organisers have announced that the journey will commence in March.

The convoy heading to Gaza will include medical personnel as well as crime investigators.

Last October, Israel’s military intercepted some 40 boats from the Global Sumud Flotilla as they carried aid to blockaded Gaza, arresting more than 450 participants, including Mandela, Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg and European Parliament member Rima Hassan. Several detainees alleged physical and psychological abuse while in Israeli custody.

Israeli officials had denounced that flotilla and earlier smaller-scale efforts ‌to sail aid into Gaza as publicity stunts.

Flotilla organisers said they were acting to break Israel’s “illegal” siege of the enclave and accused Israel’s seizure of their vessels of violating international maritime law.