Gaza Aid Flotilla Halted After Vessels Flag Removed, Activists Say

The flotilla was to sail on Friday from ports in Turkey with more than 5,000 tonnes of aid on board. Activists described the inspection and request by Guinea Bissau authorities as unusual and political

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The Akdeniz RoRo, part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, waits to depart from the Tuzla seaport, near Istanbul, last week.Credit: AFP

Reuters

Apr 28, 2024 6:40 pm IDT

A humanitarian aid flotilla destined for Gaza was halted after Guinea Bissau decided to remove its flag from two vessels, activist group Freedom Flotilla Coalition said on Saturday.

"The Guinea-Bissau International Ships Registry (GBISR), in a blatantly political move, informed the Freedom Flotilla Coalition that it had withdrawn the Guinea Bissau flag from two of the Freedom Flotilla's ships, one of which is our cargo ship," the activists said.

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The three-strong flotilla had been due to sail on Friday from ports in Turkey with more than 5,000 tonnes of aid on board, the activists said, and described the inspection and request by Guinea Bissau authorities as unusual and political.

Activists hold a press conference inside a ship belonging ti the Freedom Flotilla Coalition while it anchors in the Tuzla seaport, near Istanbul, last week.Credit: AFP

GBISR was not immediately available for comment.

The Turkish Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH) is the primary organizer of the civilian Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which is comprised of human rights activists, including lawyers, doctors, and nurses who came together to deliver aid directly to Gaza.

On Friday, United Nations experts demanded the safe passage of the flotilla and called on Israel to adhere to international law and orders of the International Court of Justice to allow unimpeded access for humanitarian aid.