ISTANBUL

Huwaida Arraf, spokesperson aboard the Conscience vessel, vowed that the ship will continue its course toward Gaza in an effort to break Israel’s blockade and reach the besieged enclave by Oct. 10.

“We are out here not only on the Conscience but also with eight other vessels from the Thousand Madleens organizations. We are just another wave of civilian vessels going to challenge Israel's illegal blockade, siege, and genocide on the Palestinian people,” Arraf told reporters.

She said the Conscience vessel is specifically dedicated to healthcare and media workers, noting: “We have dozens of each on this boat.”

“These two professions are targeted in Gaza,” Arraf said, adding that Palestinian journalists and medical workers are “being killed, are being tortured," and "their families are being targeted.”

“And we are sailing here to say to the world that this must end. The world must rise up and ensure that it ends by sanctioning Israel,” she added.

Arraf also sent a message to colleagues in Gaza: “You are not alone. We are coming. We are trying to reach you.”

Last week, Israeli naval forces attacked and seized vessels from the Global Sumud Flotilla, beginning on Wednesday, detaining more than 470 activists from over 50 countries. The flotilla was attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and challenge Israel’s blockade of the enclave.

Since October 2023, Israeli military operations have killed more than 67,100 Palestinians in Gaza — most of them women and children. The relentless bombardment has rendered the enclave uninhabitable with widespread starvation and the spread of diseases.