‘Governments continue to fail’: Freedom Flotilla sails again, vowing to challenge Israel’s Gaza blockade

‘Governments continue to fail’: Freedom Flotilla sails again, vowing to challenge Israel’s Gaza blockade Submitted by MEE staff on Sat, 09/05/2026 - 10:43 Freedom Flotilla Coalition says previous arrests, beatings and alleged mistreatment of activists have not deterred its campaign to reach Gaza by sea Demonstrators with Palestinian flags gather beside the Freedom Flotilla ship Handala before its departure for Gaza from Sicily, Italy, 13 July 2025 (Giovanni Isolino/AFP) Off The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) has announced a new international effort to break Israel 's blockade of Gaza, with ships sailing between European ports before a planned attempt to reach the besieged Palestinian territory in October. The FFC said its latest mission would go ahead despite the violence and torture meted out to flotilla volunteers on previous attempts, including severe beatings, repeated tasering and sexual assault. The coalition also accused Israel of blocking the entry of food, medicine and fuel into Gaza, saying the humanitarian situation required renewed international action.