Freedom Flotilla Coalition sets sails in a new mission to break Israeli siege of Gaza
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) has announced a new international effort to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza, with ships sailing between European ports before a planned attempt to reach the besieged Palestinian territory in October.
Share It :
The FFC said its latest mission would go ahead despite the violence and torture meted out to flotilla volunteers on previous attempts, including severe beatings, repeated tasering and sexual assault.
The coalition also accused Israel of blocking the entry of food, medicine and fuel into Gaza, saying the humanitarian situation required renewed international action.
“The Freedom Flotilla sails again because our governments continue to fail to uphold their obligations,” said Zohar Chamberlain Regev, a FFC steering committee member.
Two ships have already made the port-to-port trip, the FFC said, adding that Handala II had visited Norway, Sweden and Denmark in June and July.
The vessel Kate left Bristol in the UK earlier this month and has since stopped in Ireland, Germany and France, the coalition said.
The flotilla is to call at Spain, Portugal and Italy before heading for Gaza.
The coalition says the mission includes human rights advocates, trade union activists, elected representatives, journalists, medical professionals and other Palestinian rights supporters.
The coalition has urged governments to halt shipments of weapons and energy to Israel, end diplomatic and military cooperation and impose sanctions while providing safe passage to humanitarian aid.
The coalition also demanded free access to Gaza and an end to what it called Israel’s blockade of food, water, medicine and other essentials.
Israeli forces have intercepted previous attempts by international activists to sail to Gaza.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition came into being out of the Free Gaza Movement, with ships sailing to Gaza in 2008.
In 2010, Israeli forces stormed the Mavi Marmara, killing 10 activists on board the vessel.
The most recent mission, in April 2025, also came under Israeli attack after the regime’s naval forces raided Gaza-bound aid vessels in international waters hundreds of nautical miles from the besieged enclave.
The Global Sumud Flotilla said various vessels were “systematically disabled” after being raided, leaving activists stranded at sea.
The activists said they were transported on what they called “prison ships” to Israel, and accused the UK government of failing to adequately support them while they were in custody.
The coalition’s latest mission comes as Gaza continues to bear the strain of a difficult humanitarian situation despite a ceasefire declared in October 2025.
The FFC says its October voyage aims to create international pressure for unrestricted access to Gaza and an end to the Israeli blockade.
