The flotilla of boats attempting to bring aid to starving Palestinians living under the Israeli blockade in the Gaza Strip is less than 250 nautical miles from the Palestinian territory and less than 100 nautical miles from entering a “high risk zone,” according to a statement released by the group.
“As we get closer to Gaza and to the ‘high risk’ zone, we will be updating you regularly so you can be on high alert with us. Witness is protection,” the Global Sumud Flotilla said on Telegram.
“We need your eyes on the Flotilla and your pressure on international institutions to keep everyone safe and to help us achieve our goal of breaking the siege and opening a humanitarian corridor,” the statement added.
According to a flotilla tracker, 42 boats are taking part in the effort. On Monday, Turkey coordinated a rescue operation for one of the flotilla boats, the Johnny M, after it began taking on water in its engine room. According to Turkey’s Anadolu Agency, passengers on the Johnny M came from various countries, including Luxembourg, France, Finland, Mexico, and Malaysia.
Reuters reported on Monday that Turkish drones had been circling the flotilla for three days and that Ankara was joining Spain and Italy in monitoring the boats. Spain and Italy deployed warships to potentially help the flotilla after multiple boats came under drone attack in the Mediterranean amid Israeli threats. Israel is expected to take further military action against the flotilla as it gets closer to Gaza.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) led a letter to President Trump calling for the US to guarantee safe passage for the flotilla. According to the letter, 24 US citizens are on board the flotilla vessels.
“The Global Sumud Flotilla is sailing to Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid to Palestinians who are being starved to death by the Israeli government. They must be fully protected,” Tlaib on X. “I’m leading a letter to the Trump Administration demanding safe passage and calling for an end to the blockade and genocide.”
The Sumud Flotilla marks the fourth attempt to break Israel’s starvation blockade on Gaza this year, but the first time that multiple vessels are involved. The first boat to try to break the blockade this year, the Conscience, came under Israeli drone attack off the coast of Malta in May, halting its journey.
In June, another boat, the Madleen, made it close to Gaza’s coast before being boarded and seized by Israeli forces and taken into an Israeli port. The third boat, the Hamdala, was also captured by Israeli forces, and the humanitarian aid it was carrying was seized when it attempted to break the blockade in late July.
Back in 2010, Israeli forces raided six boats attempting to break the blockade on Gaza, and nine Turkish activists were killed on one of the vessels.
