GAZA (Palestine Foundation Information Center) French physician Baptiste André, one of the participants in the Freedom Flotilla, affirmed that the Israeli declared position of blocking the ships from reaching Gaza was not surprising — it was expected from the start.
André emphasized that all participants in the flotilla remain determined to continue their mission to break the blockade imposed on Gaza, despite repeated Israeli threats.
“We are counting on international support to continue this humanitarian mission,” he said. “We receive daily messages of solidarity and backing from around the world, reinforcing the justice of our cause and the urgent need to end the siege on Gaza.”
The “Madleen” ship, part of the international Freedom Flotilla Coalition, set sail on Sunday, June 1st, from the port of Catania on the Italian island of Sicily, carrying humanitarian aid destined for the besieged Gaza Strip.
Organizers of the initiative hope the vessel — expected to take around seven days to reach Gaza — will complete its journey despite threats, delivering a message of global solidarity with Gaza’s residents and a clear call to lift the Israeli blockade that has lasted over 17 years, along with ending the ongoing genocidal crimes against civilians.
As the ship travels its approximately 2,000-kilometer route, international activists are now on their third day at sea, amid growing expectations of Israeli intervention. They are calling for international and popular protection to ensure their safe arrival on Gaza’s shores.
