GSF Flotilla From Catania Scheduled To Depart After Sept 7

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 6 (Bernama) -- The departure of the second group of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) convoy from Catania, Italy, initially scheduled for last Thursday, has been postponed for a second time.

In a brief message to GSF participants, the organising committee announced that the flotilla will now depart after Sept 7, although no new date has been confirmed, due to the possibility of further delays.

“What is certain is that the flotilla's departure from here (Catania, Italy) will only take place after the flotilla from Tunisia leaves the port, to join the convoy arriving from Barcelona, Spain,” the message stated.

According to the initial schedule, the flotillas were set to depart from the ports of Catania and Tunisia on Sept 4. However, participants were later informed that the departure has been postponed until tomorrow.

Groups from Catania and Tunisia, each comprising 20 to 25 boats, are scheduled to join the flotilla from Barcelona, which departed on Aug 31 with 24 boats and more than 200 volunteers, including 15 Malaysians.

Among those participating in the mission are local celebrities, Zizi Kirana and Ardell Aryana, as well as preacher, Rahmat Ikhsan, better known as PU Rahmat. The second group includes 15 Malaysian activists, including influencers, Farah Lee, and ZRA Strim, whose real name is Zainal Rashid Ahmad.

All Malaysian volunteers are part of Sumud Nusantara, led by Muhammad Nadir Al Nuri Kamaruzaman, chief executive officer of Cinta Gaza Malaysia.

The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) voyage across the Mediterranean Sea, carrying food, medicine, and messages of peace, is scheduled to arrive in Gaza waters in the middle of this month.

In total, the GSF involves over 1,000 volunteers, aboard nearly 70 boats, united by a single goal: to break the siege on Gaza.

The humanitarian flotilla aims to draw the attention of governments worldwide, to pressure Israel to halt the genocide in Gaza and allow humanitarian aid to reach those in need.

The GSF unites an international coalition, spanning Europe, Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East, with all participating delegations upholding the principle of non-violence, viewing the flotilla not only as a humanitarian mission, but also as a powerful symbol of global solidarity with the people of Gaza.

-- BERNAMA