Global Sumud Flotilla activist says 500 people to join new convoy for Gaza on ‘purely humanitarian mission’

Activists From Dozens of Countries Join Mission

An activist on board the Global Sumud Flotilla, Ko Tinmaung, said that around 500 people from more than 70 countries will participate, ahead of a new convoy from the fleet heading to the Gaza Strip, speaking from Marmaris on Wednesday.

“There are around 54 ships, or just over 50. And we are talking about 500 people, 500 souls on board, coming from more than 70 countries, as far as I know,” Tinmaung shared.

Flotilla Organisers Vow to Continue Voyages

Regarding the reason for insisting on continuing the voyages despite repeated Israeli interceptions, he explained that they all decided as a group to keep sailing ‘with the spirit of sumud’, noting, “The very reason why this mission is called ‘global sumud’ is because of this of its very nature. The nature is persistence.”

“Compared to what our Palestinian brothers and sisters in Gaza are enduring. There is no comparison to what we are enduring,” the man added.

Regarding Israel’s interceptions of previous convoys, the activist described the attempts as ‘futile for us’.

Meanwhile, the Global Sumud Flotilla announced in a post on its X account on Wednesday that “Tomorrow, our peaceful maritime mission to break the illegal blockade and deliver urgent aid continues. Soon, our land convoy will arrive to challenge the illegal blockade <…> When governments fail to act, the people unite.”

Previous Interceptions Drew International Criticism

Last week, Israeli forces arrested 175 activists who were heading to Gaza on a civilian mission after intercepting 22 boats in international waters near the island of Crete. Most of those detained were later released in Greece, while two activists, Saif Abu Keshek and Thiago Avila, were deported from Israel on Sunday after being transferred there for questioning.

Their arrests drew widespread condemnation from international rights groups, while Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares described the Israeli action as ‘illegal and inadmissible’.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva also described the arrests as ‘unjustified’ and a violation of international law.

The Israeli foreign ministry has said the claims of torture are ‘false and baseless’. Israel has always denied any mistreatment of detainees, saying all are treated in accordance with international law.