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'Stay together, be united' - Activists sail from Genoa to join Global Sumud Flotilla in bid to break Israeli blockade on Gaza

'Stay together, be united' - Activists sail from Genoa to join Global Sumud Flotilla in bid to break Israeli blockade on Gaza

"Dozens of aid boxes were brought to the old port of Genoa on Sunday, as three vessels embarked to join the Global Sumud Flotilla in a coordinated mission to challenge Israel's blockade of Gaza and deliver vital humanitarian relief to the Palestinian people. Footage shows activists loading aid boxes onto their vessels. As the boats set sail, several supporters unfurled a large Palestinian flag onshore, while others waved goodbye to the departing activists. "The meaning of this operation, not only now but always - because this is the way we operate - is to create real support for the population. Because we don't stop here - we also work in the medical field, we bring equipment, training and more," one of the activists explained. "We must reclaim the word 'we' - stay together, and be united, especially in the bigger struggle, okay? Beyond our differences - and this is fundamental - because if a single drop is nothing, when you turn around, you see that together, drops make the sea and the sea is overwhelming," he emphasised The Global Sumud Flotilla brings together activists from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, Maghreb Sumud Flotilla, Global Movement to Gaza, and Sumud Nusantara. The mission is scheduled to reach Gaza in mid-September, following planned stops in Italy and Tunisia along the way. The massive civilian fleet is made up of volunteers from 44 countries. The mission follows previous attempts by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition to challenge the blockade, including the Handala and Madleen vessels, both of which were intercepted by Israeli forces this year. "These missions always had one boat, two boats, sometimes five or six - they were always intercepted, the boats seized, the people arrested," commented Maria Elena, another activist. "From our [point of view], it is abduction, because obviously we are sailing in international waters, and legally there is no legal basis for taking people in the middle of the sea and then putting them in a cell. Unfortunately, this happens, and if it happens again this time, we will respond non-violently," she continued. In four to five days, the vessels that departed from Genoa are expected to moor in the Sicilian city of Catania. From there, 21 vessels will sail towards Gaza, joining another 24 departing today from Barcelona.  Israel has maintained that "unauthorised attempts to breach the blockade are dangerous, unlawful and undermine ongoing humanitarian efforts." Israeli officials have also previously dismissed flotillas bound for Gaza as 'selfie yachts of celebrities', 'stunts', and 'Instagram activism', claiming they may have links to Hamas."

'Stay together, be united' - Activists sail from Genoa to join Global Sumud Flotilla in bid to break Israeli blockade on Gaza

'Stay together, be united' - Activists sail from Genoa to join Global Sumud Flotilla in bid to break Israeli blockade on Gaza

"Dozens of aid boxes were brought to the old port of Genoa on Sunday, as three vessels embarked to join the Global Sumud Flotilla in a coordinated mission to challenge Israel's blockade of Gaza and deliver vital humanitarian relief to the Palestinian people. Footage shows activists loading aid boxes onto their vessels. As the boats set sail, several supporters unfurled a large Palestinian flag onshore, while others waved goodbye to the departing activists. "The meaning of this operation, not only now but always - because this is the way we operate - is to create real support for the population. Because we don't stop here - we also work in the medical field, we bring equipment, training and more," one of the activists explained. "We must reclaim the word 'we' - stay together, and be united, especially in the bigger struggle, okay? Beyond our differences - and this is fundamental - because if a single drop is nothing, when you turn around, you see that together, drops make the sea and the sea is overwhelming," he emphasised The Global Sumud Flotilla brings together activists from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, Maghreb Sumud Flotilla, Global Movement to Gaza, and Sumud Nusantara. The mission is scheduled to reach Gaza in mid-September, following planned stops in Italy and Tunisia along the way. The massive civilian fleet is made up of volunteers from 44 countries. The mission follows previous attempts by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition to challenge the blockade, including the Handala and Madleen vessels, both of which were intercepted by Israeli forces this year. "These missions always had one boat, two boats, sometimes five or six - they were always intercepted, the boats seized, the people arrested," commented Maria Elena, another activist. "From our [point of view], it is abduction, because obviously we are sailing in international waters, and legally there is no legal basis for taking people in the middle of the sea and then putting them in a cell. Unfortunately, this happens, and if it happens again this time, we will respond non-violently," she continued. In four to five days, the vessels that departed from Genoa are expected to moor in the Sicilian city of Catania. From there, 21 vessels will sail towards Gaza, joining another 24 departing today from Barcelona.  Israel has maintained that "unauthorised attempts to breach the blockade are dangerous, unlawful and undermine ongoing humanitarian efforts." Israeli officials have also previously dismissed flotillas bound for Gaza as 'selfie yachts of celebrities', 'stunts', and 'Instagram activism', claiming they may have links to Hamas."