– Three ships are prepared to embark to the Gaza Strip this summer in a humanitarian mission called “Freedom Flotilla III,” the coordinator of the international coalition to break the siege on Gaza Berawi Zaher said in a statement Friday.

He explained in a press statement that the departure time and launch locations of the fleet will not be released in effort to prevent Israeli authorities from exerting pressure on countries involved in the operation.

Final logistical arrangements for the flotilla are to be made in Greece next month.

The flotilla campaign is organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition in effort to bring relief to the 1.8 million Palestinians living under blockade in the Gaza Strip.

The coastal enclave has been under severe economic and military blockade by Israel since 2006, the strip sealed on three sides by Israel and the south end of the strip facing frequent closure by Egypt.

“The humanitarian situation in Gaza is more critical than ever and is worsening by the day. Media apathy and inaction by most governments puts the burden on civil society organizations, as ourselves, to take the lead in challenging the blockade,” FFC stated at the time.

“Our flotillas will continue to sail until the illegal blockade of Gaza is permanently lifted.”

A range of political, religious, economic and public figures are expected to participate in the flotilla, including former Tunisian President Muncef al-Marzouki

The flotilla will be the third of its kind since 2010, when the first Freedom Flotilla was brutally attacked by Israel naval forces, killing nine activists on board the ships.

The incident, which took place in international waters, sparked international outcry.

A second flotilla planned for 2011 was unable to reach Gaza after Greek authorities prevented the ships from leaving Athens. MAANNEWS