Activists announced a new, larger aid flotilla to Gaza in March Gaza News

The Global Sumud flotilla will carry 1,000 activists in the largest-ever ‘coordinated humanitarian intervention’ for Gaza.

Israel, the organizer of the Gaza-bound aid flotilla Caught at sea last year They are planning a new, bigger mission next month.

The Global Sumud Flotilla announced on Thursday that it would deploy more than 100 boats in March to carry 1,000 activists, including medics and war crimes investigators.

Campaigners described the initiative as the largest, civilian-led mobilization against Israel’s actions in Gaza, at a meeting held at the foundation stone of the late South African leader Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg.

“This is a cause for those who want to rise up and stand up for justice and dignity for all,” said Mandela’s grandson, Mandela Mandela, who was among them. Activists arrested by Israel During last year’s trip.

Mandela added that the flotilla would be supported by land fleets from nearby Arab countries, attracting thousands more supporters.

Last October, Israel’s military intercepted about 40 boats from the Global Sumud flotilla as they aided blockaded Gaza and arrested more than 450 participants, including Mandela, Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg and European Parliament member Rima Hassan. Charges in multiple arrests Physical and mental abuse While under Israeli occupation.

Israeli officials have dismissed that flotilla and previous small-scale efforts to send aid to Gaza as publicity stunts. The flotilla organizers said they were working to break Israel’s “illegal” siege of the enclave and accused Israel of violating international maritime law.

Israel has imposed severe restrictions on aid supplies since the start of the genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. Creating drought-like conditions In the enclave, according to activists and humanitarians. Since the “truce” some aid has reached the enclave Started in OctoberBut the UN says that is far below what is needed to meet urgent needs.

While flotilla activists expect Israel to try to block their passage again, they say international law is on their side and their journey will draw attention to the plight of Palestinians in Gaza.

“We may not have reached Gaza physically (but) we have reached … the people in Gaza,” said one of the activists, Susan Abdallah. “They know we care, that we will stop at nothing until we break the siege.”