(MENAFN) Belgian legislator Benedicte Linard has boarded the Freedom Flotilla en route to Gaza, urgently calling on the global community to intervene and stop what she denounced as an ongoing "genocide" in the besieged Palestinian region.

Speaking from the Gaza Sunbird, one of the ships participating in the mission, Linard explained her decision to join the flotilla after growing increasingly frustrated with what she described as a lack of action from political leaders. "I wanted to take an action to try to stop the genocide in Gaza," she told media. "In the parliament and in governments there wasn’t enough action. So now I’m here with a lot of citizens in this flotilla."

The mission's goals, Linard emphasized, extend beyond delivering much-needed humanitarian assistance. The flotilla aims to establish a permanent sea corridor to Gaza, circumventing Israel’s ongoing blockade.

“It’s important for me not only to be on the boat but to try to stop what’s happening in Gaza, what Israel is doing to all the citizens, to all the children,” Linard said.

Acknowledging the risks involved, Linard pointed to the recent interception of another vessel, the Sumud, by Israeli naval forces in international waters. On Thursday, Israeli forces attacked and seized ships from the Global Sumud Flotilla, detaining more than 470 activists from over 50 countries. The flotilla was attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and challenge Israel’s blockade.

“We suppose that could happen to us also, but we want to try to finish this mission,” Linard said. She added that her crew was “quite well” and “not so far from Gaza.”

In a direct plea to international leaders, Linard called for immediate and decisive action against Israel’s siege of Gaza, urging the implementation of sanctions and measures to halt the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

“Please stop Israel and this illegal siege of Gaza. People are dying. You have to take action. You have to take sanctions against Israel. It’s the time now — it’s already too late,” she said.

Israel’s blockade of Gaza has been in place for nearly 18 years, trapping approximately 2.4 million people in the coastal enclave. Since October 2023, Israeli airstrikes have killed more than 67,000 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, and left the region in ruins. The blockade has also contributed to widespread famine in Gaza.

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