New ‘freedom flotilla’ departs for Gaza despite Israeli attacks on earlier missions

Another group of international social workers departed from the Italian island of Sicily, embarking on a humanitarian mission to Gaza with a boat carrying essential aid, including food, medicine, and other relief supplies. The voyage comes despite Israeli attacks on previous aid missions, including the Madleen and Conscience ships.

The vessel named Handala departed from the port city of Siracusa, where dozens of supporters gathered to show solidarity.

Waving Palestinian flags and wearing traditional keffiyehs, they chanted “Free Palestine” as they bid farewell to the aid workers.

According to reports, the boat will travel roughly 1,800 kilometers, with an estimated journey time of one week.

A scheduled stop will be made at the southern Italian city of Gallipoli, where two members of the French parliament are expected to join the mission.

Read: Israeli forces kidnap Madleen ship headed to Gaza, detain activists in international waters

This initiative comes six weeks after the Madleen aid boat attempted a similar journey to Gaza but was intercepted by Israeli forces approximately 185 kilometers from the coast.

Those on board were detained, and the aid was stolen and prevented from reaching its destination.

Israel has blocked humanitarian access to Gaza for over four months, according to humanitarian organisations. As a result, critical shortages of food and medical supplies persist, with dozens of children reportedly dying due to extreme hunger.

Just yesterday, Palestinian officials warned that nearly 650,000 children in Gaza are at severe risk of famine and malnutrition due to the ongoing blockade and lack of humanitarian aid.