Protesting Israel's Maritime Blockade
"Global March" Planned for Mid-June
Eleven people, including climate activist Greta Thunberg, have announced their intention to board a ship and attempt to enter the Gaza Strip in Palestine to protest Israel's maritime blockade and deliver relief supplies. On June 1 (local time), Yonhap News, citing AP and other sources, reported that the sailing ship "Maudlin" of the international NGO Freedom Flotilla Coalition departed from the port of Catania in southern Italy for the Gaza Strip that afternoon.
Eleven people, including climate activist Greta Thunberg, announced their intention to board a ship to enter the Gaza Strip in Palestine to protest Israel's maritime blockade and deliver relief supplies. AP·Yonhap News
At a press conference before departure, the organization explained that their goal is to arrive at the port of Gaza, deliver relief supplies, and raise international awareness about the humanitarian crisis. They estimated that, if they sail without interruption, it would take about a week to reach the port of Gaza. Thunberg stated, "No matter how difficult this may be, it is not as dangerous as the world remaining silent in the face of a live-streamed genocide."
In addition to Thunberg, the Maudlin carries actor Liam Cunningham, who appeared in the American TV series "Game of Thrones," as well as Rima Hassan, a member of the European Parliament of Palestinian-French descent. Hassan has been banned from entering Israel due to her active opposition to Israel's attacks on the Gaza Strip.
Earlier, the organization also attempted to sail to the Gaza Strip with a different vessel in early last month, but the attempt was thwarted by a drone attack in international waters near Malta. The organization pointed to Israel as the party behind the attack. EPA·Yonhap News
Earlier, in early May, the organization also attempted to sail to the Gaza Strip with a different vessel, but the attempt was thwarted by a drone attack in international waters near Malta. The organization identified Israel as the party responsible for the attack. Around mid-June, the organization also plans to launch a "Global March" protest, in which doctors, lawyers, and journalists will attempt to approach the Rafah border crossing at the southern end of the Gaza Strip via Egypt by land.
Meanwhile, in the early hours of June 1, at a relief distribution site operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), led by Israel and the United States, at least 30 people were killed and more than 100 injured by gunfire from Israeli forces. Amid this, the severe chaos continues, as hungry Gaza residents crowding to receive relief supplies are repeatedly shot at by Israel, resulting in casualties every day.
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