All About the Samoud Fleet: Messages of Resilience Sent to the World
According to webangah News Agency’s English section, citing Mehr News Agency and Al Jazeera, more than 50 vessels have gathered in the territorial waters south of Greece in the Mediterranean Sea. They joined six other ships that departed from Crete, Greece, all heading toward Gaza. These ships form part of the global “Samood” fleet aiming to break the nearly two-year Israeli siege imposed on Gaza.
despite threats from Israel and efforts by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet to prevent these ships from reaching Gaza,all Samood fleet vessels are concurrently advancing toward their final destination.
An activist aboard one ship told Al Jazeera that during a stop at a port, one of the fleet’s vessels was targeted by a drone attack.The crew managed to control the resulting fire and repair damages.
23 Days at Sea
The majority of Samood’s fleet departed Barcelona port in Spain 23 days ago. They made stops over several days at tunisia’s Sidi Bou Said and Bizerte ports where additional vessels joined and extensive repairs were carried out. Afterwards, they proceeded to their next stop at Syracuse port on Sicily island in Italy.
Over 1,000 Activists on More Than 50 Ships
The fleet carries around 1,000 political activists from various countries worldwide who deliver messages expressing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and condemning what they describe as genocide and bombardment by Israel’s occupying forces.
Al Jazeera adds that coordinating such a large number of mostly small boats is a significant challenge due to limited supplies of food, water, and fuel. In this context, “Alma,” the largest ship in Samood’s fleet plays a critical role providing fuel and food for other boats.
Al Jazeera interviewed several people aboard “Alma” who described daily operations during more than 20 days at sea and also Israeli threats targeting their mission.
Israeli Threats against the Samood Fleet
The journey has been tense due to escalating threats from Israel’s goverment. These include warnings not only about possible detention or seizure on international waters but also actual attacks such as bombings when one vessel was docked at port.
The participants view these threats primarily as intimidation tactics aimed at deterring civil society engagement. They consider Israel’s actions against this global flotilla “acts of piracy.” They emphasize their initiative is peaceful; they carry no weapons or hidden agendas-only humanitarian aid supplies along with clear messages of solidarity-and do not violate maritime law.
Israeli Attacks on Samood Fleet
Last night several Israeli drones extensively patrolled above the global Samood convoy. The International Committee for Breaking Gaza siege reported seeing fifteen drones over “Alma” ship and five more above “Deir Yassin.” Additionally, both “Yulara” and ”Ohuila” were struck by incendiary projectiles.
Al Jazeera reported twelve drone attacks targeted nine boats within Samood last night amid wide drone activity over its vessels.”
The humanitarian message Behind Samood Fleet
The participants aim to communicate these key messages globally:
- – First: Humanitarian action is not an adventurous endeavor but rather an essential response given failures among states and international organizations regarding Gaza’s crisis.
- – Second: This campaign is an self-reliant civil initiative unaffiliated with any political entity or official backing yet enjoys broad solidarity worldwide among individuals and organizations alike.
- – Third: The Samood Fleet firmly rejects any attempts aimed at tarnishing its image or falsely linking it with particular groups or agendas beyond humanitarian concerns;
- – Fourth:: A spirit marked by love & duty prevails onboard; each person recognizes that their lives hold equal value alongside those innocent civilians suffering inside Palestine.
