A flotilla of ships carrying humanitarian aid set sail on Thursday from the southern Turkish port of Marmaris, marking the third attempt by the Global Samud Flotilla to deliver supplies to Gaza amid ongoing Israeli naval interceptions. Previous efforts to reach the Gaza Strip had been blocked by Israeli forces in international waters.

The latest departure follows the initial launch of the flotilla from Spain on April 12, which ended with Israeli naval authorities intercepting vessels between Sicily and Crete. More than 100 pro-Palestinian activists were transported to Crete, while two others were detained in Israel. Activists involved in the current mission emphasized the urgency of delivering aid to Gaza, particularly as international media focus has shifted toward the Iran conflict.

Susan Abdullah, a member of the flotilla’s steering committee, underscored the continued restrictions facing Gaza, stating that the blockade remains firmly in place and severely limits humanitarian access. British activist Katy Davidson, part of the flotilla delegation, criticized the UK government’s response to the previous interception, describing it as inadequate. She noted that even if this shipment does not reach Gaza, an interception could still serve to highlight the ongoing humanitarian situation.

Turkish activist Seyma Demli Yalvac acknowledged the limited media coverage surrounding their efforts but affirmed that it would not deter the group’s mission. “Even if no channel reports on us, it does not matter. We will continue on our path,” she said.

Pro-Palestinian activists involved with the flotilla maintain that their advocacy for Palestinian rights is often mischaracterized by Israel and the United States as support for Hamas, a designation activists dispute. The flotilla’s activities have drawn significant attention previously; last October, Israel’s military stopped a similar mission organized by the same group, resulting in the arrest of Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and more than 450 participants.

Despite a ceasefire reached in October that included commitments to increase aid deliveries to Gaza, Palestinians and international aid organizations, along with Turkey and other countries, have warned that the volume of supplies entering the territory remains inadequate to meet urgent needs. The latest flotilla attempt reflects ongoing efforts by activists and humanitarian groups to circumvent restrictions and bring attention to the situation in Gaza.