Seventeen Australians are setting sail to Gaza as part of the latest Global Sumud Flotilla – a convoy of approximately 100 ships aiming to break Israel’s naval blockade and deliver 500 tonnes of humanitarian aid.
Since the ceasefire in Gaza began last October, the UN and various groups have reported that aid delivery has been hampered by ongoing Israeli airstrikes, weather events and tightened restrictions, leaving tens of thousands of Palestinians without adequate access to water, soap, food, medical supplies or cooking fuel.
The Israeli military maintains it is acting “in accordance with the ceasefire agreement”, adding forces will “continue to operate to remove any immediate threat”.
Six months ago, Israeli authorities intercepted a smaller flotilla of 40 vessels and 400 activists, including Australian activist Julie Lamont and Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg.
This time around, the Department of Foreign Affairs has warned of the dangers for those on board, saying the war in Iran heightens the risk to their safety.
But flotilla participant Ethan Floyd has said that while the volunteers are “cognisant of the risks that come with a mission like this”, they’re willing to participate to achieve their goal of delivering aid and drawing “the eyes of the world back to the people of Gaza”.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, flotilla participant Zach Schofield backed Floyd’s comments, adding this crew has “got the best chance yet of any flotilla that’s ever attempted to reach Gaza” due to the instability in the region.
“Now is the best time to put the case for humanity forward,” he said.
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