TRIPOLI, (The Palestinian Information Center) The ship “Omar Al-Mukhtar” has set sail from the Libyan capital, Tripoli, to join the Global Sumud Flotilla, which aims to break the Israeli blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip for 19 years.
The Omar Al-Mukhtar ship’s coalition confirmed that it departed on Sunday after being equipped with a fully integrated emergency medical unit named after Palestinian doctor Hossam Abu Safiya, designed to provide urgent care and monitor the health of participants in the flotilla should any incidents occur. The Libyan Emergency Authority has also allocated a helicopter to ensure emergency rescue operations during the sea voyage.
The ship carries around 20 people, including Libyan doctors, human rights activists from Western countries, as well as various humanitarian aid supplies, including tents, medicines, food for newborns, and essential provisions.
Among the prominent figures on board are former Libyan Prime Minister Omar Al-Hassi, and international activists, including a Scottish human rights advocate and another from Canada.
The ship’s spokesperson, Nabil Al-Sukni, said that the departure had been delayed for several days due to poor weather and logistical arrangements, noting that “the ship is now fully equipped, funded, and ready for the journey.”
This comes at a time when dozens of ships within the Global Sumud Flotilla are sailing toward Gaza, loaded with humanitarian and medical aid.
The International Committee to Break the Siege on Gaza announced that the ships will soon gather near Maltese shores before collectively sailing toward Gaza’s coastline.
Meanwhile, Israeli reconnaissance drones have been observed flying at low and medium altitudes over several of the flotilla’s ships in the Mediterranean Sea, indicating close Israeli monitoring of their movements.
This marks the first move of its kind on this scale since the beginning of the Israeli blockade on Gaza, with dozens of ships from various countries joining in a coordinated attempt to break the siege.
