Fresh Fleet of 11 Ships Set Sail toward Gaza
A fresh fleet of 11 ships has set sail toward Gaza in an attempt to break Israel’s ongoing blockade. According to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), nearly 100 rights activists are aboard the vessels. Among them is Bangladeshi photographer and Drik Managing Director Shahidul Alam, who is aboard the ship Conscience and has been providing live updates through his Facebook page.
Meanwhile, France’s flotilla live tracker has begun real-time monitoring of the vessels, allowing public access to their movements. Among those previously detained in the Sumud Flotilla mission are climate activist Greta Thunberg, former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau, and Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan.
With 15 years of maritime campaign experience, the FFC has previously joined the Maddeline and Handala flotillas. In this latest initiative, the coalition is providing strategic guidance, procedural support, and logistical assistance.
In a statement, the FFC said that on September 30, Conscience departed with eight other boats, later joined by Italy and France’s fleet Thousand Madelines to Gaza, comprising two ships. Together, the groups are advancing toward Gaza as a fleet of 11.
The Anadolu news agency reported that human rights activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla, detained by Israeli forces, have begun an indefinite hunger strike. The International Committee to Break the Siege of Gaza confirmed that several detained activists declared the hunger strike immediately upon arrest.
During their detention, Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir branded the activists as “terrorists.”
According to FFC, the flotilla is currently anchored off Crete in the eastern Mediterranean, carrying approximately 100 passengers.
Founded in 2008, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition has undertaken several missions to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and to draw international attention to the blockade. The group’s website noted that Conscience carries journalists and medical professionals from 25 countries. Their latest mission, which began last Wednesday, aims to challenge Israel’s blockade and defend press freedom.
For nearly two years, Israel has prevented foreign journalists from entering Gaza, while Palestinian reporters have been repeatedly targeted. Since October 2023, more than 270 journalists have been killed, with many others detained or imprisoned.
Alongside, Gaza’s healthcare system has collapsed under sustained bombardment and blockade. Hospitals and clinics have been destroyed, Palestinian doctors have reportedly been abducted, tortured, or killed, and international medical teams have been denied access or prohibited from bringing lifesaving medicines and equipment.
Huwaida Arraf, a member of FFC’s steering committee aboard Conscience, stated: “Conscience is not only a symbol of steadfast resistance against Israel’s unlawful blockade, but also a call to awaken the conscience of the world.”
Italian doctor Riccardo Corradini added: “As journalists and doctors, our duty is to tell the truth and save lives. This mission is an appeal to our colleagues—and to global institutions as well—to break their silence, uphold moral responsibility, and stand on the right side of history.”
Meanwhile, Israel has seized the last ship of the Global Sumud Flotilla, Marinet, off the Gaza coast. The Israeli navy previously intercepted all other vessels in the flotilla, detaining the activists onboard. Past attempts to reach Gaza by sea have also ended with Israeli raids, confiscation of cargo, and deportation of campaigners.
