16 Countries Request Security Guarantee for Global “Samud” Convoy
According to the English section of webangah News Agency, citing Anadolu Agency via Mehr News Agency, the foreign ministers of Turkey, Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Ireland, Libya, Malaysia, maldives, Mexico, Pakistan, qatar, Oman, slovenia, South Africa, and Spain expressed concern over the security of the global Sumud (Resistance) convoy aimed at breaking the siege on Gaza.
The statement explained that the Sumud convoy involves participants from multiple countries seeking to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and raise international awareness about the catastrophic humanitarian situation faced by Palestinians. It also emphasizes the urgent need to end hostilities in Gaza.
the countries underscored that shared values such as peace promotion, delivery of humanitarian aid, and respect for international law-including humanitarian law-are fundamental principles. They called upon all parties to refrain from any illegal or violent acts against the convoy and adhere strictly to international law.
The 16 nations warned that any breaches of international law-including attacks on ships in international waters or unlawful detention-and violations of participants’ human rights will entail legal consequences.
At the end of August 2023, a fleet carrying humanitarian assistance for Gaza set sail from Barcelona port in Spain with the goal of breaking its siege. Another convoy joined at dawn on September 1 departing from Genoa port in Italy.
As of Sunday evening this week (september), 16 ships have departed Tunisian ports – Kramaton bay (Qamrt), Bizerte (Banzert), and Sidi Bou Said – heading toward Gaza. They are scheduled to converge in Mediterranean waters before proceeding together toward the Gaza Strip.
The Gaza Strip has been under total blockade by Israeli occupation forces for nearly eighteen years. Nearly 1.5 million Palestinians out of its approximately 2.4 million population have been displaced due to Israel’s destructive military operations against this enclave.
Since October 7th last year (2023), Israel’s devastating war on Gaza has killed 64,964 Palestinians and injured 16,512, with women and children comprising most casualties.