A boat carrying humanitarian aid and pro-Palestinian activists departed from Sicily on Sunday, over a month after Israel detained and deported passengers from a previous vessel. The vessel, named Handala and operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, left the port of Syracuse shortly after noon with around fifteen activists onboard.
Supporters gathered at the port, waving Palestinian flags and wearing keffiyeh scarves, to see off the boat with chants of “Free Palestine.” The vessel, a former Norwegian trawler, is loaded with medical supplies, food, children’s equipment, and medicines. It plans to sail approximately 1,800 kilometers over about a week across the Mediterranean in hopes of reaching Gaza’s coast.
Since early March, Israel has imposed a comprehensive blockade on Gaza, halting most aid amid stalled truce negotiations. Although restrictions were slightly eased in late May, the blockade remains in place.
The Handala is scheduled to make a stop at Gallipoli in southeastern Italy, where two members of the France Unbowed party are expected to join the mission. This effort follows the departure of the Madleen, another aid vessel that left Italy six weeks ago carrying supplies and activists, including climate activist Greta Thunberg. Israeli authorities intercepted the Madleen about 185 kilometers west of Gaza.
“This is a mission for the children in Gaza, to break the humanitarian blockade and to end the summer silence on the genocide,” said Gabrielle Cathala, one of the France Unbowed members planning to board the vessel on July 18. “I hope we will reach Gaza, but if not, it will be yet another violation of international law by Israel,” she added.
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