 | This article needs to be updated. (July 2024) |
| Blockade of the Gaza Strip |
|---|
| Crossings |
| 2004 - 2009 |
| 2010 |
|
| 2011 - present |
| Groups involved |
The 2024 Gaza freedom flotilla was an international humanitarian relief effort organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. In April 2024 it had a goal of delivering aid to the Gaza Strip from Turkey during the Israel–Hamas war and Gaza Strip famine. Activists from the United States traveled to Turkey with plans to join the flotilla.[1][2][3]
According to its organizers, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition included the İHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation, a conservative Turkish government-connected NGO, with which many participants were affiliated.[4][5] Some Israeli media have reported that the flotilla is overseen by İHH.[6] Fehmi Bülent Yıldırım, the president of İHH, stated in a press briefing that the convoy, with ships from Turkey, Lebanon, and Libya, planned to initially dock at the Egyptian city of Arish before heading to Rafah. Ynet reported that the initiative received the green light from Turkish authorities, with Turkey's intelligence chief involved in its arrangement.[7]
The departure of the flotilla was repeatedly delayed; it had been scheduled to leave on 26 April. Organizers said that the flotilla could not depart that day because Israel was pressuring Guinea-Bissau to withdraw the flag from one of the ships in the flotilla, and also stated that the United States, United Kingdom, and Germany were trying to pressure Turkey into not allowing the ship to depart.[8]
- ^ Altenberg, Nik (18 April 2024). "Gaza Aid Flotilla to Include Bay Area Residents | KQED". www.kqed.org. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
- ^ Worland, Gayle (17 April 2024). "Dells-area woman is joining the next Freedom Flotilla bringing humanitarian aid to Gaza". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
- ^ "Ann Wright talks mission to sail aid to Gaza". Hawai'i Public Radio. 13 April 2024. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
- ^ "İHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation". İHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
- ^ Benjamin, Medea (23 April 2024). "Will the Freedom Flotilla sail to Gaza?". Peoples Dispatch. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
- ^ "Israel braces for 'Freedom Flotilla' set to sail from Turkey to Gaza". Times of Israel. 19 April 2024.
- ^ "Mavi Marmara 2: New aid flotilla to sail from Turkey to 'break siege' of Gaza - report". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 14 April 2024. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
- ^ Marsi, Federica. "Israeli pressure delayed Freedom Flotilla's departure for Gaza: Organisers". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 26 April 2024.