SICILY, (The Palestinian Information Center) A global flotilla known as the “Global Sumud Flotilla” set sail on Friday from the shores of Sicily, heading toward Gaza Strip in a renewed attempt to break the suffocating blockade imposed by the Israeli occupation.
The flotilla, consisting of 48 vessels from three countries, was completed after Italian ships and those arriving from Tunisia gathered off the Italian coast, according to Al Jazeera.
Thiago Avila, a member of the flotilla’s coordinating team, said efforts are underway to reach Gaza as quickly as possible amid what he described as “the final stages of the Israeli genocide,” referring to recent intensified attacks on Gaza City.
Avila noted that the flotilla’s progress had slowed in recent days due to adverse weather, bureaucratic hurdles, and the aftermath of a drone attack that struck its largest vessel off the Tunisian coast last week, sparking a fire on board.
He stressed that all challenges have been addressed, affirming that the mission will continue “at any cost” until its goal of breaking Gaza’s blockade is achieved.
Severe storms had forced the flotilla to delay departure on Thursday, prompting organizers to reschedule for a collective launch on Friday instead of sending out the larger ships first.
The “Global Sumud Flotilla” has faced repeated delays due to weather conditions, organizers said. Despite this, the initiative, supported by delegations from 44 countries, remains committed to delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza using civilian vessels in defiance of the Israeli-imposed naval blockade.
