Yvonne Ridley with Margaret on the right⁩

To my dearest sister, Margaret Basetta,

Warm greetings of respect and admiration from your brothers in the Omar Al-Mukhtar Flotilla.

You are a courageous soul with a gentle heart —
a rare combination of strength and compassion,
embodied in your steadfast journey to break the siege on Gaza
and to help its deprived children.

We were truly worried about you…
yet in a moment, you turned into a storm that would not calm for a single moment in the face of the Zionist occupation, before, during, and after your detention,
until we met again in front of that cursed Ramon Airport building.
At that moment, I knew I had gained a sister,
a true comrade on the path of freedom and human dignity.

We are proud of you and your noble struggle.
We will always remember you with gratitude and affection —
a symbol of unbroken humanity,
who carried the banner of justice from the heart of the sea
to the heart of Gaza.

With all respect and love,

Your brother,
Malek Qutait
on behalf of your comrades in the Omar Al-Mokhtar Flotilla ❤️🇱🇾🇵🇸

إلى الأخت العزيزة جدًا مارغريت باسيتا،

تحية تقدير وإجلال من إخوتك في أسطول عمر المختار،
لكِ أيتها المناضلة الصلبة ذات القلب الطيب،
التي جمعت بين الشجاعة النادرة والرحمة العميقة في رحلة إنسانية سامية،
رحلة الصمود لكسر الحصار عن غزة وإنقاذ أطفالها المجوعين.

لقد كنا قلقين عليك،
وإذا بكِ تتحولين في لحظة إلى عاصفة لم تهدأ لحظة في وجه الاحتلال الصهيوني، قبل وأثناء وبعد الاعتقال،
حتى التقينا مجددًا أمام مبنى الركاب في مطار رامون اللعين…
حينها، أيقنت أنني اكتسبتك أختا،
وشريكةً في درب النضال من أجل الحرية والكرامة الإنسانية.

نعتز بكِ وبنضالك النبيل،
وسنظل نذكرك بكل الامتنان والمحبة،
رمزا من رموز الإنسانية التي لم تنكسر أمام الظلم،
بل حملت راية العدالة من قلب البحر إلى قلب غزة.

بكل الود والاحترام،
أخوك
مالك اقطيط
عن إخوتك في أسطول عمر المختار ❤️🇱🇾🇵🇸

From the flotilla signal group from Ann Wright:
I found Margaret from Scotland who was on the Libyan boat. No sign of Yvonne Ridley yet. Margaret had a broken leg, but not from this, but she’s in good spirits.

Supervisory Committee of the Omar Al-Mokhtar Vessel

For Immediate Release

Headline:

Israel’s Armed Seizure of Humanitarian Vessel Omar Al-Mokhtar is an Act of Piracy and a War Crime

Tripoli, Libya – Thursday, October 2, 2025

The Supervisory Committee of the Omar Al-Mokhtar humanitarian vessel condemns in the strongest terms the armed assault carried out this morning by Israeli forces in international waters, approximately 50 nautical miles from the coast of occupied Palestine. The ship, carrying only unarmed civilian volunteers committed to nonviolence and humanitarian principles, was violently seized in a flagrant violation of international law.

This attack is not an isolated incident: it is part of Israel’s ongoing policy of collective punishment against Gaza’s 2.2 million civilians, now enduring genocide under a suffocating 18-year blockade. By intercepting a peaceful humanitarian mission, Israel has once again criminalized solidarity, silenced witnesses, and exposed the lengths to which it will go to enforce its apartheid system.

The Committee has received confirmation from the legal team in London that participants are being transferred under Israeli custody. We demand their immediate release, an end to any discriminatory or abusive treatment, and full accountability for this brazen act of piracy against a civilian vessel in international waters.

Dr. Abdelmoneim Harisha, spokesperson for the Committee, said:

“This was not a security operation. It was a war crime. Israel’s military stormed a ship whose only cargo was hope, food, medicine, and the courage of ordinary people standing up to genocide. The detention of these peaceful activists strips away Israel’s façade of legality and puts the burden squarely on governments and international institutions that enable these crimes.”

The Supervisory Committee calls on the United Nations, international human rights bodies, and all states to condemn this unlawful attack, demand the release of the detained civilians, and take urgent measures to end Israel’s blockade of Gaza — a blockade that constitutes a crime against humanity.

The Committee will hold a press conference today, Thursday, at 18:00 in Algeria Square, Tripoli, to provide further legal and organizational updates.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1514618959557411

Another day on Libyan ship Omar Almokhtar boat. Started at eight o clock. Showered, done my washing by hand. ( shouldn’t have said that as John will refuse to buy me a machine if ours ever breaks down 😂😂😂). Yesterday was crazy we left Crete then had to return Don’t know why!!!! Few hours later Navy ship came telling us one of the main ships from Sumud had been left with nobody on board. We heard that this had happened. They wanted to know if we knew where they were. We said no. In fact they had left on other boats 5 minutes later we left again to sail So on way to Gaza. It’s been an experience I will never forget. Good one and glad I done this. 18 months ago I spent 3 weeks in Istanbul Sadly the day before we left the flag was pulled from our ship so we couldn’t go. I can’t describe enough the hospitality of the Libyan men on board to the 3 internationals on this ship. We don’t cook, we don’t wash dishes and don’t clean anything. If they see you going even to lift a chair they run to get it for you It is an honour to be on this boat with these amazing activists. Just really nice people. We had a visit last night with another boat who had no food or water on board and no fuel to cook with. We handed over (in great difficulty due to the darkness and waves) water, food and fuel. Along with dates of course. I am the only non Muslim on this flotilla and the respect they show me goes beyond words. Sadly at this time I can’t show you the video of this for various reasons So I watched 3 of our men risking their lives to deliver this aid. Bobbing up and down on the water trying to steer our lifeboat towards their ship. Thank god they made it. Food etc handed over to massive cheers and of course the obligatory FREE PALESTINE 🇵🇸 and from THE RIVER TO THE SEA So first day was horrendous soooo. Sooooo sick. Few days later I was just feeling sick, now I am enjoying the waves. So life on board is good. We are ONE LARGE FAMILY indeed. I do miss my husband of course. As I do my daughter and granddaughter. Not forgetting our dogs I just want to deliver the aid to people of Gaza. Get back to Libya, that’s where the boat left from and get home. I miss our stall massively and people on it but when people are dying of hunger and thirst we need to do something.
SO LETS BREAk THE SEIGE !!!!! No more holocaust of the Palestinian 🇵🇸 people I must admit I am scared of seeing Gaza flattened and poverty of the starving Palestinian people. We cannot stand back and do nothing. It’s not the people it’s the Government’s that are the problem around the world. Saying that many countries have now joined beside us by sending military escorts to sail with us and Turkey has provided 3 drones to try and protect us The Italian dockworkers have said if they lose any communication with the ships they will shut down the docks and nothing can enter or leave. TRUE SOLIDARITY. Unlike the U.K. who say they will not offer us any protection.

When we were in Crete we had drones, low flying aeroplanes over us. Frightening it was. You don’t know where to shelter. Next night more drones over us. When the drones flew over us taking pictures and video, we were waiting on something being dropped on us. Suddenly a horrendous storm appeared and the drones were unable to continue and left. So I have just been told we may arrive today in Gaza. Fingers crossed.

An attempt to fail.

The message carried by the Freedom Fleet threatens the death messages that the occupying entity is trying to get the world to print with. For this reason, international ships loaded with solidarity and food have been subjected to continuous attack by the occupying entity either at the level of media attack or through the arrest of activists supervising the fleet and finally the terrorist attack with pilot aircraft targeting ships belonging to the fleet which was anchored in the port of Sidi Abousaid in Tunisia. The entity’s actions provoked an international rejection and denial, and exposed the brutality of the occupation and the collusion of governments that still justify its actions. The honorable activists who supervise the fleet and its companions risk their own safety, especially with the size of the brutality of the entity and its lack of ethical or humanitarian measures.

It is therefore important for the Libyan people to offer all the support to the fleet and the ship of Omar Al-Mukhtar, and to follow it moment by moment.

An Attempt to Undermine the Efforts

The message carried by the Freedom Flotilla directly challenges the message of death that the occupying entity seeks to normalize with the world. For this reason, the international flotillas loaded with solidarity and food aid have been, and continue to be, subjected to relentless attacks by the occupier—whether through smear campaigns in the media, the arrest of activists leading the flotilla, or most recently the terrorist drone strike that targeted ships belonging to the flotilla while docked at the port of Sidi Bou Said in Tunisia. These acts have sparked international condemnation and exposed the brutality of the occupation, as well as the complicity of governments that continue to justify its crimes.

The courageous activists who organize and accompany the flotilla risk their safety in the face of such brutality and the occupier’s disregard for all moral and humanitarian norms.

It is therefore imperative that the Libyan people, in their entirety, extend full support to the flotilla and to the Omar Al-Mukhtar ship, and follow its journey moment by moment

Latest update on Omar Almokhtar flotilla is we are berthing at Crete late tonight or early tmrw. This is due to a storm and to be honest I am happy about that as I spent 3 days being violently sick overboard We spotted a military boat today who we believe was taking pictures and videos of us. We think it was American. Today we are preparing all the lifeboats and lifejackets so we are ready incase of an attack. We thought we spotted a drone earlier today. Not sure though sore the boat we have a cabin for 4. Two bunk beds. Tiny and compact but does the job. Food is amazing and they take care of me being fed well. (Vegan). They even use separate pots for me. I insist they don’t need to worry about me but they do it anyway. The activists consist of 2 Scottish , myself and Yvonne Ridley and a Canadian woman. The others are mainly Libyan but some other passports. They are all amazing activists A small bird is sitting on our boat. It’s very tired. Far from land so I am providing water and food for it. So storm is hitting the boat now so I will go. As you all know you are ALL with us on this boat in spirit as I am sure I am with you all in Glasgow One thing left to say is FROM GLASGOW TO GAZA. VICTORY TO THE INTIFADA.
Will update you all tomorrow. As I said I was more or less stuck in my bunk first few days due to seasickness

BREAKING – Italy has said it is sending a navy ship to assist the Global Sumud Flotilla which is trying to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.

For the movement of the ship of Omar Al Mokhtar.

Tuesday night with:

23 September of 2025..

Correspondence: 30th of Spring, 1447 AH..

this midnight sharp: 12:00

1- After Omar Al-Moktar’s ship went out last Monday night. The ship had crossed the regional waters and economic waters of Libya.. With the early hours of dawn on Tuesday, led by the stable naval captain Mustafa Fateis and assistant captain Al-Said Sharif.

2- With the rising of the sun, the ship of Omar Al-Mukhtar began to evaporate the international waters. Turns out the weather is sunny.. A little dragging .. And the movement of the wind is calm.. And the waves are between (1 – 1.75 m).

3- The speed of the age of the chosen ship stabilized between (7 – 8 nautical knots).. Any equivalent of roughly (13 – 14 km/h).. This helped to make the movement inside the ship comfortable.. Suitable for doing assigned activities for all working groups.

4- At about 11:47 minutes before Monday afternoon, the high temperature of the exhaust pipe of the ship’s engine caused a wood opening to the roof of the ship with the part attached to the exhaust pipe. The emergency group on Omar Al-Mokhtar’s ship has paid attention to this issue, and the fire rollers that we trained on before sailing were used by Libyan hands, which we are proud of by the Civil Safety Authority, and their future occurrence was avoided by widening the surroundings of Al-Fatha with a wooden roof by the equipment and mechanical experience accompanied by us, so that the exhaust pipe is away from any thermal friction. In the future.

5- All fighters agreed with Omar Al Mokhtar’s ship to make a daily cultural program. And that’s every evening.. You may prefer both Sheikh Saad Al-Maghribi and Mr. Nabil Al-Soukny.. With the opening of the cultural season, with the presentation of sermons and explanations of some of the noble verses. With a brief narration of the stories of a number of righteous people.

6- Everyone is rotating the light dinner prepared by Sheikh Saad Al-Maghribi and the groups were allocated to coordinate their activities. And setting her accomplishment schedule for tomorrow.

7- The fighters were informed about what the news agencies and local and international space channels had published on Tuesday.. Regarding what is happening in Gaza from violations against humanity .. Also humanitarian reactions in Arab and international capitals .. And also about the position of many countries regarding the recognition of the State of Palestine.

8- The ship of Omar Al-Mukhtar is still traveling at the same speed. And that is thanks to the wise leadership of the outstanding captain: Mustafa Fateis and also thanks to his assistant, the expert chief: the noble hunting.. We ask Allah Almighty to answer us with their good reward.

9- We also received some important recommendations from the Field Administration of the Province to consume freshwater and also to wear the life jacket continuously in order to preserve our safety.

10- We have been informed by the field administration that it is continuously working on preparation to embody public solidarity and national support for us in case of any possible danger encountering the ship of Omar Al-Mukhtar.

The report has been finished..

May you live in peace.

Omar El-Hassi

The pen of the ship of the Omar of the Mokhtar.

With hearts eager to soon reach the shores of Gaza,
and after days of hard work, effort, and anticipation for this moment, we, the team traveling aboard the vessel Omar Almokhtar, are pleased to announce that we will set sail from the shores of Tripoli, Libya, today, Sunday, September 21, 2025, at 6:00 PM Tripoli time (7:00 PM Jerusalem time).

Images from the Omar Almokhtar Flotilla