Pro-Palestinian activist who are preparing to sail from Spain to Gaza on Sunday in dozens boats carrying aid, have asked governments to pressurize Israel to allow the flotilla through the naval blocksade.

The Global Sumud Flotilla, which includes hundreds of people from 44 different countries, will depart from various ports in Gaza to take part in the Global Sumud Flotilla. In Arabic, Sumud is "perseverance".

Israel has foiled numerous attempts in the 15-year history of the blockade. This includes a 2010 board by its Special Forces, during which at least 9 Turkish activists were murdered. Saif Abukeshek said that it was up to politicians to pressure Israel to allow the flotilla to pass.

"They must act to protect human rights and guarantee a safe transit for this flotilla", the Palestinian resident in Spain told a Barcelona audience on Thursday.

In June, Israeli forces boarded a British flagged yacht that was carrying Thunberg and others. Israel dismissed the ship as a publicity stunt to support Hamas.

Since Hamas seized control of Gaza, in 2007, the United States has placed a naval blockade around the coastal enclave. The goal is to prevent weapons from reaching Hamas militants.

The blockade was in place during conflicts, including the current conflict, which began on October 7, 2023 when Hamas militants took over southern Israel, killing 1,200 and taking 251 people hostage, according to Israeli statistics.

Israel's retaliatory attack against Hamas killed nearly 63,000 Palestinians since then, according to Hamas officials in Gaza. A global hunger monitor reports that part of Gaza is suffering from famine.

Israel sealed off Gaza on land in early March. It would not allow any supplies to enter for three months. They claimed that Hamas diverted aid. (Reporting and editing by Charlie Devereux, Alex Richardson and Andrei Khalip)

(source: Reuters)