April 19, 2024
Local media report that a Turkish NGO called The IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation has decided to acquire three ships and launch a relief convoy to Gaza.
IHH currently operates relief voyages from Turkey to Egypt for cross-border transport into Gaza, but this new mission is advertised as an all-water route. It would be the second time that the conservative Islamic group has tried to transit through the Israeli naval blockade around Gaza – and the first time ended in violence.
IHH has acquired three vessels for its “Freedom Flotilla,” reflagged them and changed their names.
It is planning to depart for Gaza by the end of this month with:
- freighter ANADOLU (ex DALYA H) (Marinetraffic)
- passenger vessel VICDAN (ex THE MAJESTIC, KLOAR KIMMING) (Marinetraffic)
- RoPax AKDENIZ (ex PRINCE) (Marinetraffic)
The NGO has launched a fundraising appeal to help pay for the vessels and their cargo.