To break the long-standing blockade of the Gaza Strip, pro-Palestinian activists and international civil society organizations have announced a major maritime campaign. Under the joint auspices of the “Freedom Flotilla” and the “Sumud Convoy,” this convoy will depart for Gaza on April 12 from various ports in the Mediterranean Sea. The plan is to include 200 ships in this campaign, making it one of the largest maritime efforts to date.
Bülent Yıldırım, head of Turkey’s IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation, which is leading this initiative, said that support for this campaign is being gathered from around the world. Funds will be raised from several regions, including Europe, Asia, Africa, Türkiye, and Gulf countries, to purchase the ships. He stated that the simultaneous departure of ships on such a large scale could make it difficult to stop the convoy. He also clearly said that under the current circumstances, the sea route is the only remaining option to deliver aid.
This convoy will depart from Mediterranean ports in Spain, Italy, and Tunisia, and thousands of people from 150 countries are expected to participate. The campaign has the support of around 200 civil society organizations, including groups such as the Mavi Marmara Freedom and Solidarity Association, IHH, and the Palestine Support Platform.
The purpose of this mission is not only to deliver relief supplies but also to provide humanitarian and professional assistance in Gaza. More than 1,000 doctors, nurses, and medical personnel are expected to be part of the convoy. In addition, teachers, engineers related to infrastructure and the environment, lawyers, and war crimes investigators will also participate in the campaign. This indicates that the initiative is being carried out with the broader objective of strengthening the health, education, and infrastructure situation in Gaza.
The severe humanitarian situation in Gaza is being cited as the main reason behind this campaign. According to Bülent Yıldırım, obstacles are being placed in delivering aid, and people are not receiving sufficient food, increasing the risk of hunger and disease. He appealed to the international community to remain alert regarding this situation.
Such maritime efforts have been attempted before, but they were stopped. In October last year, 41 ships of the “Global Resilience Flotilla,” carrying around 400 people, were intercepted by Israeli forces while heading toward Gaza. According to the flotilla, they were surrounded in international waters, and they described it as a serious violation of international law. Following the incident, protests took place in several countries, and international organizations also expressed concern. Amnesty International called for the safety of the activists, while the United Nations described the action as unacceptable.
The history of the Freedom Flotilla has also been associated with controversy. In 2010, during the interception of the “Mavi Marmara” ship, several Turkish activists and civilians were killed, which led to a major diplomatic crisis between Türkiye and Israel. The dispute was later resolved after Israel issued an apology and provided compensation to the families of the victims.
In Gaza, which has a population of about 2.4 million people, a blockade has been in place for the past 18 years. In this context, the proposed convoy of 200 ships is not only an effort to deliver humanitarian aid but is also being seen as a major initiative to draw international attention to the situation in Gaza.