The Maria Christina, part of the Global Sumud Flotilla delivering medicine and food to Gaza, was stopped by the Israeli Regime Navy on Thursday morning and sprayed with an unknown substance.

Why it matters:

Gaza has been under a devastating war and a complete blockade by land, sea, and air for nearly two years; the delivery of humanitarian aid faces serious obstacles and any action against these shipments would exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

 

Details:

• The “Global Sumud Flotilla” naval convoy includes more than 40 civilian ships and about 500 people, including members of parliament, lawyers and social activists.

• Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg is also among the participants.

• The vessels in this convoy aim to deliver medicine and food to Gaza and break the naval blockade.

• Israeli regime has imposed a naval blockade since 2007

 

Background:

In 2010, Israeli regime forces attacked a naval convoy, killing nine activists. More recently, in 2025, the Maudlen and Handala flotillas were also seized by the Israeli Navy.

The big picture:

The incident is part of a long-running Israeli regime crackdown on international efforts to provide direct aid to Gaza, a move that will have wide-ranging international and public repercussions.

 

Go deeper:

Sumud Flotilla to Reach Gaza Tomorrow: Activists

 

 

M.Derakhshandeh - M.a.Mahmoudi