Gaza-Bound Flotilla Attacked by Drones: Volunteers Undeterred
In the early hours of Wednesday morning, a fleet of small boats carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza was attacked by drones in international waters. The Global Sumud Flotilla, comprising roughly 500 volunteers from 45 countries, had set out to break Israel's siege on Gaza and deliver food and medical supplies.
According to eyewitnesses, the attack occurred without warning, with drones firing at the boats as they sailed through the Mediterranean Sea. Tommy Marcus, a volunteer on board, described the experience: "It's pretty jarring. I'm not going to lie. I'd love to put on this really tough, confident face and say I'm totally fearless. But I'm just a normal guy, and I expect and hope to live past 30."
Marcus, who goes by Quentin Quarantino on Instagram, emphasized the determination of the volunteers: "There is truly no way to deter us, I suppose, unless they kill us. But let's hope that doesn't happen." The convoy had been traveling for weeks, gathering international attention and support along the way.
Israel's blockade of Gaza has been in place since 2007, with the country citing security concerns as the reason for restricting access to the territory. However, human rights organizations have repeatedly condemned the blockade as illegal under international law. Diana Buttu, a former legal adviser to the Palestine Liberation Organization and an analyst on issues related to Palestine and Israel, stated: "Israel's blockade of all entrances to the Gaza Strip is a clear breach of international law and has severe humanitarian consequences for the population."
The Global Sumud Flotilla is the latest in a series of attempts to break the siege. Previous convoys have faced similar attacks from Israeli forces, with some resulting in fatalities. Despite these risks, volunteers remain committed to delivering aid to Gaza.
As the situation unfolds, international organizations and governments are weighing in on the issue. The United Nations has called for an investigation into the attack, while several countries have condemned Israel's actions as disproportionate and excessive.
The fate of the Global Sumud Flotilla remains uncertain, with some reports suggesting that the boats may be attempting to reach Gaza by sea despite the attacks. As one volunteer noted: "We're not going anywhere. We'll keep trying until we get there."
Background: The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been ongoing for decades, with tensions escalating in recent years. The blockade of Gaza has had severe humanitarian consequences, including widespread poverty and food insecurity.
Additional Perspectives: Human rights organizations have long criticized Israel's blockade as a form of collective punishment, which is prohibited under international law. The blockade has also been condemned by the United Nations and several countries around the world.
Current Status: The Global Sumud Flotilla remains at sea, with volunteers continuing to attempt to deliver aid to Gaza despite the attacks from Israeli drones. International organizations and governments are calling for an investigation into the incident and condemning Israel's actions as excessive and disproportionate.
*Reporting by Theintercept.*
