Turkish activist Yasar Yavuz, participating in the “Resilience Flotilla,” expressed his hope on Wednesday to reach the Gaza Strip next night to break the Israeli blockade and deliver humanitarian aid.
Yavuz explained that the participants in the humanitarian event had expected the Israeli army to intercept their flotilla last night, indicating that they were now 100 to 110 miles from the Strip.
He added that the flotilla will continue on its way to the Strip despite Israeli harassment and interference, and that all those on board are unarmed civilians.
He continued: “Even if Israel interferes or obstructs our path, we will go to Gaza. We have embarked on a peaceful mission. We are unarmed, and we will not wage war. Our mission is to break the blockade.”
Yavuz emphasized that all activists are in good spirits despite Israeli harassment, noting that a month has passed since the launch of the Global Resilience Flotilla.
He pointed out that the flotilla included people from approximately 50 countries of diverse cultures and religions, and that everyone had faith and hope in reaching Gaza and its children.
At dawn on Wednesday, the Steadfastness Flotilla announced that it had entered a “high-risk zone” as it approached the coast of Gaza, referring to the area where Israel typically intercepts ships.
International organizations, including Amnesty International, called for protection for the Steadfastness Flotilla, while the United Nations stressed that any attack on it was “unacceptable.”
Israel, the occupying power in Palestine, has previously engaged in piracy against ships heading to Gaza, seizing them and deporting the activists on board.
This is the first time that more than 50 ships have sailed together toward Gaza, carrying 532 civil society activists from more than 45 countries.
