By Hannah Saunders

The genocide in Gaza has reached the extermination phase, and starvation is being used to wipe Palestinians from existence. Activists have attempted to reach Gaza’s shores, but have been repeatedly intercepted by Israeli forces. Now, people from over 44 countries are preparing to set sail in numbers this fall to end the siege under the Global Sumud Flotilla, but Israel has recently declared plans to occupy all of Gaza.

“They can stop one flotilla, but can they stop dozens?” asked Tariq Ra’ouf, activist, on TikTok. “Organizers who worked on the Freedom Flotilla are now working with the people behind the Global March to Gaza and the Tunisian Sumud convoy, and the Malaysian initiative, where they announced they wanted to send 1,000 ships of their own.” 

While this large movement has its risks, the Global Sumud Flotilla has stated that it is more risky to allow this genocide to continue, and noted how those involved will receive safety prevention, and nonviolence training. Hundreds of small to medium-sized boats will also draw more international attention than a single flotilla, which may decrease the risk of Israeli aggression, it said. 

Maritime law also protects civilian ships transporting humanitarian aid and peacefully protesting in international waters.

“If they keep intercepting ships illegally, it’s up to us to keep trying,” Ra’ouf said. 

The Israeli government has blocked humanitarian aid from entering Gaza, and the little amount of aid that is getting in is expensive and moldy. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which is supported by Israel, has been killing Palestinians who are seeking food at delivery sites, which many are referring to as a “death trap.” But Palestinians have no other choice: people are collapsing and dying from being starved. 

Hamas and the armed wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad posted several videos showing rail-thin Israeli hostages. Shortly after the videos were released, Netanyahu claimed they were intentionally starving hostages; Hamas responded that the hostages are living through the same experiences as Palestinians. 

“Palestinian armed groups should immediately and safely release all civilians they are holding hostage, just as Israeli authorities should immediately and safely release all unlawfully held Palestinians,” the Human Rights Watch stated, mentioning how these groups are committing war crimes. 

Dictator Donald Trump said that when it comes to the United States’ continued backing of Israel and its plans to occupy all of Gaza, he will not halt any of their plans, but that everything else is “going to be pretty much up to Israel.” 

On August 5, Al Jazeera reported that more than 60,930 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, which includes more than 18,430 children. 

Last weekend, people from across the globe gathered in Tunis, Tunisia, to undergo expert training in nonviolence and maritime missions; they also went to coordination sessions to learn how to grow and strengthen the coalition. 

“Together, we are building the power to break the siege and sail in solidarity with Palestine,” the Global Sumud Flotilla stated in an Instagram post. 

Participants in this initiative include activists from the Maghreb Sumud Flotilla, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, and the Global March to Gaza. People are invited to apply to become participants, and those with maritime experience are encouraged to apply as crew members. Each boat in the Global Sumud Flotilla efforts will be guided by a regional flotilla coalition with nautical, logistical, and legal support. 

Those who are unable to set sail are encouraged to donate to support the vessels and aid, and organize to end the occupation in their local cities. 

For more information, visit globalsumudflotilla.org.