Siraj Kobeissy




As part of the continuous international pro-Palestinian affairs, The Free Gaza Movement organizes a new convoy "Freedom Fortilla" to Gaza, with humanitarian aids and supplies, with the hopes to break the siege on Gaza.

The Free Gaza Movement coordinated with numerous human rights organizations, including the Turkish Foundation for Human Rights and Freedom and Humanitarian Relief (IHH), the Perdana Global Peace Organization from Malaysia, the European Campaign to End the Siege of Gaza, and the Swedish and Greek Boat to Gaza initiatives.

Nine cargo ships are to be sent off to Gaza after being loaded with reconstruction kits, medical aids and educational supplies, with the participation of at least five passenger boats with over 600 people on board accompanied by the cargo ships.

The ships assembled in Turkish waters, where they planned to launch their non-stop trip to Gaza.

In an exclusive interview with "moqawama.org", Turkish peace activist and member of Kudus Yolu (Way to Al Quds) Organization, Muhammad Jihad Ebrari, talked about the atmosphere in Turkey while Freedom Fortilla convoy was in Turkish waters.

"There are tens of thousands of Turkish people on shore next to the ships, and in a while they will launch the cargos non-stop to Gaza. The total number of ships is 9, where 3 ships are from Turkey and others are from Cyprus, Algeria, Ireland, England, Kuwait, Greece and Sweden", activist Ebrari said.

As for the Turkish organizers in the convoy, Muhammad Jihad said, "They are the Insani Vardim Vakafi (IHH) Organization, The Turkish Foundation for Human Rights and Freedom and Humanitarian Relief, which is giving in medical, humanitarian aids and supplies for Gaza". Ebrari added that Almost 250 Turkish people are aboard the convoy ships on their way to Gaza.

Regarding obstacles on the non-stop journey, Muhammad Jihad said, "In 24 hours the ships are supposed to land in the Gaza's coastal area", and regarding the continuous "Israeli" threats, he said, "until now these are only threats and regular statements that the "Israeli" enemy will be attacking and cutting off the convoy".

"People and organizers aboard the ship convoy are ready for any sort of attack, and for a week now, there have been talks and negotiations with Turkey to try and make this issue easier for the convoy". "We don't know how the "Israeli" attack would be like, whether heavy or not, but the convoy either ways determines to enter Gaza's coastal area".

People are waiting and following up with the convoy's journey to Gaza, still wondering: What would it be like? Would there be "Israeli" attacks? Will the convoy be able to continue and deliver its humanitarian aids to Gaza?

It is up to the next 24 hours, the time by which the ships are supposed to reach Gaza's waters as scheduled, God willing it will.