The vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla departed from Barcelona on April 15 with the objective of reaching Gaza and have made a stop in Sicily, where more boats are expected to join the mission. The expedition now faces a particularly delicate stretch, marked by the precedent of attacks suffered by previous flotillas in these same latitudes.
The mission enters a phase of more risk
The stop in Sicily serves to reinforce the fleet before continuing the journey through the central and eastern Mediterranean. Among the members of the mission, there is a perception that the scenario changes from this point and that the risks at sea increase.
"Now is when the risks begin" - Mariona Tasquer, member of the mission
The crew is carrying out daily preparations for a possible emergency situation. The participants explain that they work with self-protection maneuvers and response protocols in case of interception.
"Every day we try to do drills for abandoning ships and what a possible interception would be like" - Pau Pérez, crew member
Constant vigilance at sea and in the air
During navigation, attention is focused both on maritime traffic and on any aerial movement. Vigilance intensifies especially during hours with poorer visibility, when the detection of vessels or devices in the environment becomes more complex.
"We look at the horizon, to avoid colliding with ships and, at the sky, for the drones" - Mariona Tasquer, member of the mission
"vision is difficult and more eyes are needed" - Mi Hoa Lee, activist
That permanent monitoring responds to the precedent of other flotillas that, in this area of the Mediterranean, have ended up under attack. The mission thus maintains a navigation with special caution while it prepares to continue heading to Gaza.
Previous action against a cargo ship bound for Israel
Before this new stage, about fifteen vessels blocked the passage of a cargo ship bound for Israel, suspecting that it could transport material for military purposes. The action sought to hinder its advance at sea.
"the idea was to divert him, make him lose time" - Mariona Tasquer, member of the mission
The flotilla is now pending to add new ships in Sicily before resuming the route. The declared objective remains intact, although the crew assumes that the journey that remains ahead will require more vigilance, more coordination and constant attention on any movement on the horizon and above their heads.