Global Sumud Flotilla denounces that Israeli boats are intercepting the mission

The Global Sumud Flotilla has denounced that Israeli military boats are intercepting the mission to carry humanitarian aid to Gaza.

According to the organization, military ships have already boarded a first Flotilla boat in broad daylight and about 250 miles from Gaza.

The Flotilla has demanded "safe passage" for the mission, which they have defended as "humanitarian, legal, and non-violent" and have criticized an "illegal" interception.

The Flotilla resumed its route to Gaza last Thursday from the Turkish port of Marmaris, after a first interception of boats in Greece at the end of April.

Among the participants who set sail again is the Catalan-Palestinian activist Saif Abukeshek, who spent ten days in an Israeli prison after the Israeli government made the first interception.

The Global Sumud Flotilla set sail on April 15 from the Port Forum in Barcelona, ​​with around thirty boats, with the aim of "breaking the blockade" in Gaza.

Mission to Gaza

The humanitarian mission began the voyage a few days later than planned due to adverse weather conditions. More boats later joined in what, according to the organization, is the "longest maritime mobilization in history led by civilians in support of Gaza."

On April 29, Israel intercepted the boats of the Global Sumud Flotilla in Greece, fifteen days after having set sail from Barcelona. During the operation, Abukeshek and activist Thiago Ávila were transferred to an Israeli prison. Both were released on Saturday, May 9.

Abukeshek arrived in Barcelona a day later, and upon his arrival, he announced that he would set sail again with the Flotilla to resume the journey to Gaza.

The activist denounced "torture" in Israeli prisons and criticized the "impunity" and "complicity" of Western governments with Israel.

The mission resumed on Thursday, May 14. The organization reported a day earlier that 54 ships and more than 500 people would set sail, including Abukeshek and the former mayor of Montcada i Reixac, Laura Campos.

Campos posted a video on social media on Monday where she is seen on one of the boats explaining that they have spotted military ships and that they had activated the "interception protocol." She criticized the "illegal kidnapping" and asked for support.