‘No ceasefire in real life,’ says Gaza flotilla activist

An activist participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla, a humanitarian mission attempting to break the Israeli blockade on Gaza, has declared that despite official announcements, no genuine ceasefire exists on the ground. “There is no ceasefire in real life,” Mexican activist Al Muatasem Belah Alwirakat Flores told Anadolu from aboard one of the flotilla’s boats. “Maybe we hear about the ceasefire in the news, but in real life we don’t see that.”

Decades of suffering and EU criticism

Flores stated: “Since 1948, the people of Gaza have not seen a normal day, where they can just sit around without hearing the sound of bombs, or without their homes being taken by occupiers.” He called last month’s Israeli attack on another Gaza-bound flotilla off Crete a “shame” for the European Union, adding: “I think that’s a shame for the EU as it shows how they work with Israel, and how they help Israel to enjoy impunity.” He urged people worldwide to “raise up your voice” against Israeli violations, which he called “acts of piracy.”

Flotilla seized, international law breached

Argentinian activist Lautaro Rivara called Israel’s interception of the aid flotilla a violation of international maritime law. Organisers said early Tuesday that all vessels in the 54-boat convoy had been seized. The flotilla departed from Marmaris, Türkiye, on Thursday. Since 2007, Israel has imposed a crippling blockade on Gaza, and its brutal two-year offensive since October 2023 has killed over 72,000 people and injured more than 172,000.