14 years ago, a clash over 8 ships sailing to
Gaza fractured relations between Turkey and Israel.
This month, a group of ships will against set sail
for the Gaza Strip,
hoping to deliver 5500 tons of aid to Palestinians in
critical need of food and medical supplies.
The ships are organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition,
a group of 12 NGOs from countries including the US,
Turkey and South Africa. But Israel has a tight block
gate around Gaza and the flotilla is unlikely to reach
its destination.
There's fear the ships will once again be met with
violence,
harkening back to 2010 when Israeli commandos raided the ships
claiming to be looking for terrorists and weapons,
and killed several Turkish civilians on board.
The incident badly strained Turkey's relations with Israel.
Meanwhile, Gaza is on the brink of famine.
According to the United Nations,
six months into the Israel Gaza War,
sparked by the October 7th Hamas light attack on Israel,
extreme food shortages are affecting the estimated 2.2 million Palestinians
remaining in the enclave.
US Agency for International Development said that famine was already
underway in much of northern Gaza.
Washington has grown increasingly critical of Israel's actions in Gaza,
even while doubling down on supplying it with weaponry.
The White House issued a statement accusing Israel of not
doing enough to protect civilians in its fight against Hamas.
Israeli officials touted several new measures they say will alleviate
the hunger crisis.
But data workers say little has actually changed on the
ground and aid access is as complicated and risky as
ever.