The Israeli navy is preparing to confront a major humanitarian flotilla after 54 ships carrying more than 500 international activists departed from the Turkish port of Marmaris on Thursday, in a renewed attempt to break the 18-year blockade on the Gaza Strip.
The Global Sumud Flotilla set sail amid heavy activity along the Mediterranean coast, with vessels lining up before heading toward Gaza. Organisers said participants from 70 countries are taking part, including prominent figures such as Sumeyra Akdeniz Ordu, Dr Imane Al-Makhloufi, Saif Abu Keshk, board members of the flotilla, and Mahmut Arslan, head of the Turkish Workers’ Trade Union Confederation. The fleet also includes activists from the Turkish Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH).
Shortly after the departure was announced, Israeli army radio reported that the navy “is preparing to confront it on the Israeli coast in the coming days,” while claiming that authorities “fear tensions could escalate into violence due to the presence of activists from a humanitarian relief organisation on board the ships,” in a clear reference to the IHH.
The voyage comes just weeks after Israeli forces carried out what activists described as an illegal attack in international waters off the Greek island of Crete on 29 April. During that operation, Israel detained 21 boats carrying around 175 activists from 39 countries. The remaining vessels that escaped detention returned to Turkey for maintenance and refitting before being reorganised into this larger-scale mission.
During a press conference held on Wednesday, organisers acknowledged they expected possible interception attempts and other risks during the journey, revealing that several activists remain in custody from the previous encounter. Natalia Maria, a Brazilian lawyer and spokesperson for the fleet’s legal team, declared the Gaza blockade illegal and warned that any attempt to intercept the vessels or detain participants would be met with international legal action.
The flotilla’s stated objective is to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, which has been under a strict Israeli blockade since 2006. With tensions already heightened following last month’s confrontations at sea, the approaching convoy sets the stage for another potential clash between unarmed activists and the Israeli military in the Eastern Mediterranean.