About 20 ships with global humanitarian aid sailed from the Tunisian port in Bizerte towards the Gaza Strip. The "Sumud" fleet is another effort to break through the Israeli blockade of Palestinian territory that has lasted for over a decade and a half.
The participants included Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, who stressed the importance of the mission. "When the governments of our countries take no responsibility, we have no choice but to take matters into our own hands" - she said in a conversation with AFP. According to Thunberg, Gaza Solidarity Fleet is trying to show the people of Gaza that the planet has not forgotten them.
Delayed start after incidents
The departure from Tunisia has been postponed respective times due to safety concerns, delays in preparation and bad weather conditions. This is the next phase of the flotilla cruise, which departed from Barcelona on 31 August, and the last unit departed from Bizerta at dawn on Monday according to the photographer AFP.
While crossing the boat from Tunisian Sidi Bou Said to Bizerta, 1 of the units was hit by a drone. The Tunisian government denied work for the attack, and the Tunisian National defender reported in a message that an detonation had occurred inside the ship.
International Solidarity Initiative
The word "sumud", which gave the name flotilla, means "perseverance" in Arabic. Gaza Solidarity Fleet is an global initiative supported by 44 countries that aims to supply humanitarian assistance with civilian ships and "break the Israeli blockade".
Yasemin Acar of GSF posted on Instagram a video with the message that "the blockade of the Gaza Strip must end" and "we sail in solidarity, dignity and in the name of justice." This is another effort after 2 erstwhile ones, which were blocked in June and July, and their participants, including Thunberg, were detained and deported.
Sources used: "PAP" Note: This article has been edited with the aid of Artificial Intelligence.
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