Sumud Flotilla facing attacks, sabotage, and media manipulation

Hussein Durmaz, coordinator of the Turkish delegation in the Global Sumud Flotilla, said Israel offered arrangements to the flotilla through third countries; in other words, the proposals were along the lines of: “You have reached your goal — let us deliver these humanitarian supplies (from Greek Cypriot-controlled Cyprus) to Gaza via Cyprus, under the guarantees of the Vatican or the United Nations.”

He explained that these were in fact attempts to block the flotilla and break its influence; for example, such a proposal was put forward via Italy (by both Giorgia Meloni, the prime minister, and Sergio Mattarella, the president).

Durmaz told Anadolu that there has been no reduction in the size of their flotilla nor any change in their determination.

The Turkish coordinator in the Global Sumud Flotilla added that they had anticipated a period of intensified internal sabotage, media manipulation, and terrorist attacks once the flotilla set sail.

This Turkish activist said such incidents indeed occurred: some ships were rendered unable to move due to sabotage, and the areas where the vessels were docked were attacked during that period by more than 20 drones and sonic bombs.

Durmaz continued: Israel systematically attempts almost daily to weaken this process and uses various terrorism accusations to manipulate the media, portraying it as a “Hamas flotilla.” Israel carries out these actions to break this collective will and pave the way for intervention.

The Turkish coordinator emphasized that the world recognizes these Israeli actions as manipulative and that they have not succeeded in undermining the flotilla’s determination.

Noting that the Global Sumud Flotilla continues on its course with firm resolve, he said: there has been no reduction in our flotilla nor any change in our determination. But the upcoming period is critical: Israel may launch major attacks, employ deceitful tactics not yet used, and bring forward new accusations. Therefore, all attention must remain on Gaza during this period.

The Turkish coordinator of the Sumud Flotilla stated: “We know what is happening in Gaza is genocide, violence, and oppression. We know that approaches such as ‘bring two aid ships and we will deliver them’ are deceptive. The aim of the Sumud Flotilla is to open an unconditional humanitarian corridor for the people of Gaza, together with humanitarian and medical supplies.”

Durmaz concluded: “Everyone should be able to deliver their aid to Gaza without needing permission, and that is the fundamental mission of the Sumud Flotilla.”