Marieke de Hoon

The Global Sumud Flotilla sailed towards Gaza, and we provided independent coverage. Gijs Sanders, along with cameraman Diederick Groenewoud, was the first Dutch journalist to board. Until the Israeli army intercepted the fleet. More than 1,000 activists headed for Gaza on 75 boats. The goal: to break the Israeli naval blockade to deliver aid to the permanent population in Gaza. Previous attempts were intercepted, the passengers arrested, detained in Israel, and deported. Like in October 2025, when the Israeli army intercepted about 40 boats from the Global Sumud Flotilla and arrested more than 450 participants, including climate activist Greta Thunberg. In April 2026, another aid fleet departed for Gaza. It became the largest Flotilla mission ever. A number of participants went along for a second time. We ask them: why would you go?