PNN – More than 1,000 political activists have set off for the Gaza Strip in more than 50 ships as part of the Samood flotilla to break the siege on the war-torn region.
According to the report of Pakistan News Network, citing Al Jazeera, more than 50 ships have gathered in southern Greek territorial waters in the Mediterranean Sea to head to Gaza with six other ships that arrived from the Greek island of Crete. These ships are part of the global “Resistance” fleet, which is heading towards the Gaza Strip to break the Israeli blockade that has been imposed on it for nearly two years.
Despite threats from the Israeli regime and efforts by the cabinet of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to prevent the fleet’s ships from reaching Gaza, all ships of the Samood flotilla departed simultaneously for their final destination in Gaza.
A participant in the fleet told Al Jazeera that one of the fleet’s ships was attacked by a drone while stopping at a port, but the ship’s crew was able to contain the fire caused by the attack and repair the damage.
23 days of friendship with the sea
Most of the ships in the Samood fleet departed from the Spanish port of Barcelona 23 days ago and stopped for several days at the ports of Sidi Bou Said and Bizerte in Tunisia. There, other ships joined the fleet and many of the ships underwent repairs. The ships then sailed to their next stop, the port of Syracuse in the Greek city of Sicily.
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Appeal for UN support for the Samood flotilla on its way to Gaza
1,000 people in more than 50 ships
This flotilla carries about 1,000 political activists from different countries around the world on its ships, who convey a message of solidarity with the Palestinians of Gaza and condemnation of the genocide and incessant bombings by the occupying Zionist army.
Al Jazeera adds that coordinating such a large number of ships is a major challenge, especially since most of them are small and do not have adequate supplies of food, water and fuel. This brings into play the role of the Alma, the largest ship participating in the Samood flotilla, which provides fuel and food for the other ships.
Al Jazeera spoke to a number of elements on board the Alma. They spoke about the daily schedule of the Samood fleet, their activities during more than 20 days at sea, and the nature of the threats from the Israeli regime.
The Zionist regime’s threats against the Samood fleet
The trip is not without tension, as the participants receive increasing threats from the Israeli government, which are not limited to warnings of arrest and confiscation in international waters, but also include the bombing of one of the ships while it is docked in port.
The participants in the flotilla believe that the Zionist regime’s threats are only intended to intimidate and deter civil society. They believe that the Zionist regime’s threats against the Global Resistance Fleet are a clear example of an attempt at “piracy.” They say that their initiative is peaceful and that what they are carrying on their ships is perfectly clear and does not violate any maritime laws, as they are carrying only humanitarian aid and messages of solidarity, without any weapons and without any hidden agenda.
The Israeli regime’s attacks on the Samood fleet
However, last night, several Israeli drones flew over the Global Solidarity convoy in large numbers. According to the International Committee to Break the Siege on Gaza, 15 drones were seen over the ship Alma and 5 over the ship Deir Yassin. The ships Yulara and Ohayla were also targeted with incendiary projectiles.
Al Jazeera reported that 12 drone attacks targeted nine Samood flotilla boats last night. The network reported extensive flights of a number of drones over the boats of the Samood convoy.
The Samood fleet carries a humanitarian message.
Participants in the Global Fleet of Resistance to End the Siege of Gaza are trying to convey these messages to the world:
First, humanitarian work is not an adventurous act, but rather the minimum that must be done in the face of the inaction of governments and international institutions in response to the Gaza disaster.
Second, this action is an independent civic initiative and is not affiliated with any political institution and does not receive official support, but it receives solidarity from people and institutions around the world.
Third, the Samood Fleet rejects all attempts to tarnish its image or accuse it of having ties to various groups.
Fourth, there is a spirit of love and responsibility on board; everyone there knows that their lives are no more important than the lives of Palestinian civilians.