‘Governments continue to fail’: Freedom Flotilla sails again, vowing to challenge Israel’s Gaza blockade

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) has announced a new international effort to break Israel's blockade of Gaza, with ships sailing between European ports before a planned attempt to reach the besieged Palestinian territory in October. The FFC said its latest mission would go ahead despite the violence and torture meted out to flotilla volunteers on previous attempts, including severe beatings, repeated tasering and sexual assault. The coalition also accused Israel of blocking the entry of food, medicine and fuel into Gaza, saying the humanitarian situation required renewed international action. “The Freedom Flotilla sails again because our governments continue to fail to uphold their obligations,” said Zohar Chamberlain Regev, a FFC steering committee member. “At every port, we will carry the demand that Palestinians be free to live with dignity. In October, we intend to carry that demand and the solidarity of people around the world to Gaza’s shores,” Regev said. Read more: ‘Governments continue to fail’: Freedom Flotilla sails again, vowing to challenge Israel’s Gaza blockade Demonstrators with Palestinian flags gather beside the Freedom Flotilla ship Handala before its departure for Gaza from Sicily, Italy, 13 July 2025 (Giovanni Isolino/AFP)