Flotilla of Ships, Including 'Conscience', Challenges Israeli Gaza Blockade
A fleet of ships, including the 'Conscience', has set sail from Italy with 92 crew members, aiming to break the Israeli news blockade on the Gaza Strip. Among them are seven Spaniards, including Maria Plata, who declared the mission is 'in memory of all those who did not make it' to the Strip. The fleet expects Israeli interception despite being in international waters.
The humanitarian maritime mission, Freedom Flotilla - Mille Madleens, includes the 'Conscience', which was previously attacked by drones in Maltese waters. Most of the crew are journalists, health professionals, and human rights activists like Maria Plata, a teacher and human rights activist. The fleet plans to cross the 150-mile exclusion zone established by Israel in two days. This is not the first such mission; the Freedom Flotilla has carried out a dozen missions since 2008, including the Israeli attack on the 'Mavi Marmara' ship in 2010, which resulted in the death of ten activists. The Global Sumud Flotilla, intercepted about 128 kilometers from the Palestinian coast, shares the same goal of delivering humanitarian aid.
The fleet expects Israeli interception as they approach the 150-mile limit, as previously seen with the Global Sumud Flotilla. The crew remains determined to reach Gaza, carrying a message of solidarity and hope for the people there.
