A flotilla of ships set to depart for the Gaza Strip to bring aid to Palestinians has been stranded in Turkey due to administrative roadblocks, as organisers say Israel has been exerting political pressure to impede the voyage.

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Israel-Gaza War

The departure of the International Freedom Flotilla, a convoy set to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, has been indefinitely delayed in Turkey, organizers have reported. They attribute this holdup to a series of bureaucratic obstacles, which they believe are a direct result of Israeli diplomatic efforts to prevent the flotilla's mission. The main vessel of the flotilla, named Akdeniz and flying under the flag of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, has become the focal point of these challenges.

Organizers allege that Israel has not only pressured the Republic of Guinea-Bissau to withdraw its flag from the lead ship but also exerted influence on European countries to dissuade their citizens from participating. Furthermore, Israel is accused of sending numerous communications to the Turkish authorities to hinder the flotilla's departure from the Turkish port. These actions echo historical tensions; one activist involved, Ismail, is the son of a passenger who was killed when Israeli forces intercepted the Mavi Marmara, a ship in a previous flotilla, 14 years ago.

Despite international calls, including those from UN experts and the International Court of Justice, for Israel to allow the unobstructed passage of humanitarian aid into Gaza, the flotilla’s organizers face significant obstacles. Rueda Araf, another participant who was involved in the 2010 flotilla, emphasized the importance of challenging Israel's blockade to deliver essential aid to Palestinians. Presently, the immediate future of the flotilla, carrying 5,500 tonnes of aid, remains uncertain as activists are advised to return to their home countries until further notice.



Israeli pressure delayed Freedom Flotilla’s departure for Gaza

Ready, but they're not setting sail. The aid has been loaded, but the International Freedom Flotilla has faced what organisers say are administrative roadblocks initiated by Israel. The lead ship, Akdeniz, bears the flag of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau. Organisers say there's been pressure to have the flag removed and stop the vessel from departing. Israel is sending a message to the European countries about their nations to be participants on the ship and creating challenges for them. And also sending a lot of messages to the Turkish government to create a challenge from the port authorities. Ismail's father was on the Freedom Flotilla 14 years ago. He was one of the nine people killed by the Israeli military when they boarded the Mavi Marmara. Rueda Araf was on the flotilla in 2010. Israel continues to deny the entry of life-saving aid for Palestinians, and we can't just sit by while our governments do nothing effectively to change the realities. And so we plan to sail with this life-saving aid, but also to confront and challenge Israel's siege on the civilian population. But she will now have to wait. No one here knows for how long. UN experts had demanded the safe passage for the Freedom Flotilla, calling on Israel to adhere to international law, including recent orders from the International Court of Justice to ensure unimpeded access for humanitarian aid. Activists have now been told to return to their home countries until the flotilla is ready to leave. Nobody knows how long that will take or if it will depart for Gaza. Whether obstructions and political pressure work remains to be seen. But for now, the 5,500 tonnes of humanitarian aid will remain here, and they will not be a challenge to the Israeli siege of Gaza.

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Israel-Gaza War