'Gaza Sunbirds' boat, other vessels to join global flotilla sailing to devastated enclave

A new group of boats will be joining the aid flotilla which is heading to Gaza in hopes of breaking Israel's siege on Saturday.

The Gaza Sunbirds boat, named after Palestine's Para-cycling team, will be setting sail, along with nine other vessels, carrying life-saving humanitarian aid to the enclave as Gaza runs out of essential supplies, with hundreds of people already starving to death.

The boats will link up with the Global Sumoud flotilla, which is currently off the coast of Crete en route to the Gaza Strip.

"There's no time left for words, material action must lead the way while governments waste time," Karim Ali, Gaza Sunbirds' co-founder and international coordinator, said in a statement.

"More than an attempt to break the siege on food and medicine, this movement represents the preparedness of the global majority to fight for the existence of the Palestinian people," Ali said, urging international governments to follow suit and do more to help the people of Gaza.

The founders of the Gaza Sunbirds team also highlighted the role of sports in the struggle for Palestinian freedom.

Israel's war has killed over 800 Palestinian athletes, including former national football player Suleiman al-Obeid.

Palestine's paracycling team was formed by Alaa al-Dali, who had his leg amputated after being shot at a peaceful protest in Gaza, leading him to assemble other Palestinians who suffered from Israeli attacks.

"The Gaza Sunbirds are showing the world that disability, bombardment, and a lack of resources will not hold them back and that they will continue to advocate for their community," the statement said.

It also highlighted Israel's continued use of sportswashing in an attempt to distract attention from its genocide, including Israel's participation in the cycling squad at races across Europe this summer.

Spain, Italy, and Greece have sent warships to protect the Sumoud flotilla from attacks after its ships reported attempts at sabotage, including explosions, communication jams, and drones hovering overhead.

Israel has threatened to stop the flotilla from reaching Gaza, having previously seized another ship attempting to reach Gaza.

World leaders have been facing calls to keep the activists on board safe from any attacks on the aid ship. Four US senators from the Democratic Party have written to the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, urging him to do more to keep US citizens on the flotilla safe.

In addition, over 80 members of the UK parliament have written to Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper to ensure that "no harm" comes to members of the Global Sumoud Flotilla.