AN international naval convoy looking to deliver much-needed aid to Gaza has been blocked "due to Israeli and US pressure".
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which as The National previously reported was joined on its journey to Gaza by Scots grandmother Margaret Pacetta, was due to sail on Friday from Istanbul.
The convoy was initially stalled due to what they claimed were “underhanded” tactics from Israel.
However, in an update posted by John Hurson, a volunteer with the flotilla, the convoy has now been forced to turn around after Guinea-Bissau withdrew its flags from the ships that were due to sail.
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The ships were carrying 5500 tonnes of humanitarian aid and hundreds of international humanitarian observers.
"We received the devastating news that due to Israeli and US pressure, the state of Guinea-Bissau has withdrawn its flags," Hurson said.
"Needless to say, we are all disappointed and angry, but without flags, we cannot set sail.
"Given that we need more time to find another country willing to allow us to sail under their flag, a decision was reached to postpone our trip."
'Their moral depravity knows no bounds'
The volunteer hit out at both Israel and the US for their role in blocking the aid convoy.
"The lengths that they both went to in order to deny humanitarian aid from reaching Gaza as more than two million people are starving, shows how their moral depravity knows no bounds," he said.
"Hopefully we can sail soon, but now we must head home.
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"The support we have received has been overwhelming, and will motivate us even more when we come together very soon in order to deliver the aid to Gaza."
On Friday, the United Nations (UN) demanded safe passage for the convoy, adding: "Israel must adhere to international law, including recent orders from the International Court of Justice to ensure unimpeded access for humanitarian aid."
The statement from UN experts added that this is not the first time the Freedom Flotilla's convoy has been prevented from delivering aid to Gaza.
"In 2010, Israel intercepted and attacked the Freedom Flotilla’s civilian ships in international waters, killing 10 passengers and wounding many others," it noted.
"At the time, the Freedom Flotilla had attempted to break the Israeli blockade by delivering humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza."
It comes as more than 34,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israel's bombardment of Gaza since the escalation of the conflict on October 7, when Hamas launched attacks on southern Israel, killing 1200 people and taking 250 people hostage.
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