Flotilla heads for Gaza after Israel intercepted last convoy
Summary
Dozens of boats with activists and aid set sail from Turkey to try to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza. This comes weeks after Israel stopped a previous flotilla near Greece, detained some activists, and caused international criticism.Key Facts
- Over 50 boats left from Marmaris, Turkey, as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla aiming to reach Gaza.
- Israel intercepted more than 20 boats near the Greek island of Crete on April 30, detaining about 175 activists.
- Two activists taken to Israel were later deported after being held and interrogated; they accused Israel of torture, which Israel denied.
- Nearly 500 activists from 45 countries are now involved in the new flotilla attempt to bring attention to Gaza’s situation.
- The Gaza Health Ministry reports over 72,000 Palestinians killed since the war began in October 2023 after a Hamas attack on Israel.
- Gaza has been under blockade by Israel and Egypt since 2007 to prevent arms smuggling to Hamas.
- A fragile ceasefire has stopped heavy fighting, but Gaza still faces shortages of food, medicine, and limited aid access.
- Past attempts to break the blockade, including a deadly 2010 raid on the Mavi Marmara boat, have failed.
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