The committee noted that the ship "Hanthala" set sail on Sunday from the Italian port of Gallipoli, shortly after it was subjected to a sabotage attempt that targeted its engine.
She stated that "the final stage of her journey began toward the Gaza Strip, in a new and courageous attempt to break the illegal blockade imposed by the Israeli occupation authorities on more than two million Palestinians in the Strip, most of whom are children."
She noted that the ship also experienced a more serious incident shortly before its departure, when a flammable chemical, likely sulfuric acid, was found inside a container in the galley and mistook for water, causing injuries among the ship's crew.
She confirmed that she possessed video recordings documenting those involved in these acts of sabotage, calling for an urgent investigation and the prosecution of those responsible.
She stressed that these attacks will not deter her from continuing her peaceful popular struggle, noting that the ship is sailing carrying medicine, baby milk, and small toys for the children of Gaza.
This is the second attempt within a month, following a previous attempt by the ship "Madeleine" as part of the "Freedom Flotilla."
The ship is named "Hanthala," the iconic character created by the late Palestinian artist Naji al-Ali in 1969. The character has become a Palestinian icon symbolizing steadfastness and resistance, particularly in the face of international injustice and complicity with the occupation.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel, with US support, has been committing genocide in the Gaza Strip, including killing, starvation, destruction, and forced displacement, ignoring international calls and orders from the International Court of Justice to halt the practice.
This genocide resulted in the deaths and injuries of more than 200,000 Palestinians, most of whom were children and women. In addition, more than 9,000 people remain missing and hundreds of thousands are displaced, amid a worsening famine that claimed the lives of many, including dozens of children.
