IRISH ACTIVISTS ARE helping to organise a new international flotilla aiming to deliver aid to Gaza and break Israel’s blockade as the number of civilians killed through violence or starvation continues to rise.

The flotilla is set to launch from Spain on 31 August and stop at Tunisia and other countries on 4 September before sailing towards Gaza, with people from more than 44 countries participating.

It comes as a joint statement from 24 countries and the EU denounce the “famine unfolding before our eyes” in Gaza as Israel severely limits the amount of aid getting into Gaza, leaving people to suffer without enough food or other essential supplies like medicines.

The new Global Sumud Flotilla, organised by the Global Movement to Gaza (GMTG) campaign, aims to break Israel’s blockade and raise attention to the starvation happening in Gaza – though Israel is likely to intercept it before it reaches Gaza.

“The people of Ireland are steadfast in our support for the liberation of Palestine,” said Karen Moynihan, GMTG Irish coordinator, in a statement.

“The Global Sumud Flotilla sails with more boats then ever seen before to break the siege on Gaza,” Moynihan said.

“We are calling everyone across Ireland to join the movement and support the flotilla. Citizens of the world are united, and we will not stop until Palestine is free. No one is free until Palestine is free.”

In June, the Freedom Flotilla on the boat the Madleen departed from Sicily with aid and noted activists and politicians on board, including Greta Thunberg.

Israeli forces intercepted the ship in international waters and detained and later deported those on board.