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Genoa’s 260-Tonne Aid Drive Readies Gaza Flotilla to Sail From Aug. 31

Organizers describe a civilian nonviolent mission facing a high risk of interception.

Overview

  • Music for Peace coordinated the rapid collection, sorting and tracing of roughly 250–260 tonnes of food donated across Liguria and neighboring regions in five days.
  • Four sailboats are loading in Genoa for an Aug. 31 departure, with most vessels set to leave from Catania between Aug. 31 and Sept. 4 before rendezvousing in the eastern Mediterranean.
  • About 2,200 packaged boxes totaling roughly 45 tonnes will be distributed across some 40 boats, with surplus supplies routed to a Sudan mission and weekly local aid if not shipped.
  • Participants from around 44 countries include activists and politicians such as Greta Thunberg and former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau, following mandatory training on nonviolence and detention protocols.
  • Local port workers say they will push to halt shipments to Israel if the flotilla is stopped or aid is not delivered, citing prior Israeli seizures of earlier boats and the blockade of Gaza.