The 2024 flotilla to Gaza is a planned flotilla of ships that will attempt to break the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip to deliver aid to besieged Palestinians. The flotilla is being organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, a coalition of international human rights groups.
Background
The Gaza Strip has been under Israeli blockade since 2007. The blockade has severely restricted the movement of people and goods in and out of Gaza. This has had a devastating impact on the economy of Gaza and the living conditions of its residents.
The 2010 Flotilla Raid
In 2010, a flotilla of six ships carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza was intercepted by the Israeli navy. The Israeli navy boarded the ships and killed nine activists on board. The raid was widely condemned by the international community.
The 2015 Flotilla Flotilla III
In 2015, another flotilla of ships attempted to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza. The Israeli navy intercepted the ships and prevented them from reaching Gaza. “It started from Sweden on 10 May 2015 and stopped in several European cities along the way to Gaza. On 29 June 2015 the Swedish-flagged vessel “Marianne” was intercepted by the Israeli navy in international waters about 100 nautical miles from the Palestinian coast of Gaza.
The 2016 “Women’s Boat to Gaza”
The Women’s Boat to Gaza (WBG) was an initiative by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition in 2016 to challenge the Israeli naval blockade of the Gaza Strip. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition launched the Women’s Boat to Gaza to raise awareness of the role of women in advancing the Palestinian struggle in the Palestinian Territories and diaspora. The Women’s Boat to Gaza also supported the goals of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign:
- Ending its occupation and colonization of all Arab lands and dismantling the Wall;
- Recognizing the fundamental rights of the Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel to full equality; and
- Respecting, protecting and promoting the rights of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and properties as stipulated in UN Resolution 194.
The 2024 Flotilla
The 2024 flotilla is the latest attempt to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza. The flotilla is expected to set sail in May 2024. The flotilla will consist of several ships carrying humanitarian aid and human rights activists.
The organizers of the flotilla hope that it will raise awareness of the plight of the people of Gaza and pressure Israel to lift the blockade, deliver desperately needed aid, and end the on-going war started Oct. 7, 2023 the international community and the UN has strongly condemned as a genocide. The Israeli government has said that it will not allow the flotilla to reach Gaza. Click HERE for the official FFC statement and to track the aid ship.
