Kathmandu— A boat named Kate set sail from Hannover Quay in Bristol, United Kingdom on Sunday, embarking on a mission to challenge Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip. The vessel carries twelve Freedom Flotilla activists who aim to deliver much-needed aid to the region, joining a larger international effort known as the Global Sumud Flotilla. Supporters gathered to see off the boat, which represents the latest in a series of attempts to breach the blockade that Israel has enforced since 2010, often resulting in interception and detention by Israeli forces.

History of Interceptions

Israel has consistently intercepted or attacked flotillas attempting to break the Gaza blockade since 2010, including incidents occurring in international waters. Frank Romano, a member of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and an international lawyer representing Palestinian cases before the International Court of Justice, stated that Israeli forces have intercepted and detained over 75 solidarity ships and boats since October 2023. Despite legal efforts to recover these vessels, Romano has only managed to retrieve two.

Activist Experiences

Fiacc O Brolchain, the Irish captain of Kate, was previously detained by Israeli forces during a prior mission where his hearing aids were seized during interrogation. Colm Byrne, an activist participating in another attempt to reach Gaza, recounted being intercepted over 1,000km from Gaza in April and subjected to physical abuse including being kicked, beaten, and forced into painful positions. He described being held on his knees for four hours with hands tied behind his back before being transferred to prison where activists were threatened if they didn't walk with their heads down. Byrne emphasized that while the treatment was humiliating, it paled in comparison to the abuse suffered by Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

Growing Movement and Costs

The Global Sumud Flotilla has launched multiple missions, beginning last year and expanding significantly in April. The coalition estimates the overall cost of the flotilla to be $24 million. Swedish activist Greta Thunberg participated in a previous mission in October, aboard the Alma, and alleged physical and psychological abuse during her detention – allegations Israel denies. Supporters at the Bristol send-off included Swee Ang, founder of Medical Aid for Palestinians, Welsh nurse Leigh Evans, and David Miller, a professor who recently won a legal battle over his anti-Zionist views.

The Kate’s journey represents an ongoing effort to deliver aid to Gaza despite significant obstacles and risks. The success of the mission remains uncertain given Israel's history of intercepting such vessels.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.