16 nations back a global fleet challenging Israel’s blockade with humanitarian aid
Foreign ministers from 16 countries, including South Africa, Brazil, Ireland, Indonesia, Mexico, and Turkiye, have expressed concern over the safety of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), a civil society initiative attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.
In a joint statement released on Tuesday by South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation, the ministers stressed that the flotilla’s mission aligns with the urgent humanitarian needs of Palestinians and the broader goal of peace in the region.
The GSF, consisting of dozens of boats and hundreds of activists from 44 countries, departed from Barcelona, Spain, on September 1 and is expected to reach Gaza in mid-September. Organisers say the effort is aimed at breaking Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip to deliver food, medicine, and other aid.
The joint statement called on all parties to respect international law and refrain from any unlawful or violent acts against the flotilla. It warned that violations, including attacks in international waters or illegal detentions, would be met with accountability.
“Both objectives, peace and humanitarian aid delivery, together with the respect of international law, including humanitarian law, are shared by our governments,” the statement read.
The Global Sumud Flotilla is a coordinated, nonviolent fleet of small vessels sailing from Mediterranean ports in a bid to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza. It unites a diverse coalition of international activists, including participants from earlier land and sea initiatives such as the Maghreb Sumud Flotilla, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, and the Global Movement to Gaza.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
