SHOTLIST MEDITERRANEAN SEA (OCTOBER 7, 2025) (USERS MUST CREDIT AKIF YASIN BAHCECI, EMRAH ATIS-ACCESS ALL) 1. (SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) TURKISH ACTIVIST AKIF YASIN BAHCECI, SAYING: "After the Sumud flotilla, we are determinedly continuing our journey to break the blockade on Gaza.” 2. WHITE FLASH 3. (SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) TURKISH ACTIVIST AKIF YASIN BAHCECI, SAYING: “At the same time, during this process, we can face many difficulties due to adverse weather conditions. But these certainly do not deter us. We continue on our path. At this point... we are trying to do our best to break the blockade on Gaza, end the occupation in Gaza, and put an end to the oppression Israel inflicts upon all of Palestine.” 4. WHITE FLASH 5. (SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) TURKISH ACTIVIST AKIF YASIN BAHCECI, SAYING: “Furthermore, the vessel 'Conscience' serves as the flagship in the Freedom Flotilla. Our ship carries food aid and medical supplies. The others consist of boats and sailboats. Of course, the adverse weather conditions, the rough and high seas, affect them more. The 'Conscience' vessel is less affected in this regard. However, these unfavorable conditions have no negative impact on the morale or motivation of either us or them.” 6. WHITE FLASH 7. (SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) TURKISH ACTIVIST AKIF YASIN BAHCECI, SAYING: “Of course, we also know that Israel may intervene against us and all those boats. But none of this will turn us back from the path we have set out upon. We will continue our way until the blockade on Gaza is broken." 8. (SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) TURKISH ACTIVIST EMRAH ATIS, SAYING: “God willing, we aim to reach Gaza and break the blockade. On our ship, we are carrying medical supplies and doctors, and we are also carrying members of the press. When we arrive, one of our goals is to break the blockade that restricts medical access and press coverage of Gaza.” 9. WHITE FLASH 10. (SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) TURKISH ACTIVIST EMRAH ATIS, SAYING: “We proceed under two main principles. The first is to go to Gaza together with healthcare workers and deliver these medical supplies. The second is to both publicize this sacred journey and to make the world aware of the brutality occurring in Gaza.” 11. WHITE FLASH 12. (SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) TURKISH ACTIVIST EMRAH ATIS, SAYING: “ God willing, by the end of this voyage, we want to reach Gaza, break the blockade, and embrace the people there.”MEDITERRANEAN SEA - OCTOBER 7: Activists aboard the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) have reiterated their determination to break the Israeli naval blockade of Gaza, steadfast in their course despite adverse conditions and the threat of interception by Israeli forces. The aid convoy, currently located approximately 200 nautical miles from the Gaza coast, is the latest in a series of maritime challenges to the long-standing blockade. Its journey comes just days after the Israeli navy seized the "Global Sumud Flotilla," detaining hundreds of activists on board. In an interview with Anadolu from the flotilla's lead ship, "Conscience," Turkish activist Akif Yasin Bahceci confirmed the mission's resolve. "We are determinedly continuing our journey to break the blockade on Gaza. We also know that Israel may intervene against us, but none of this will turn us back from our path," Bahceci stated. The flotilla, comprising nine vessels carrying around 100 activists from various countries, is transporting essential food and medical supplies. Organizers said the convoy is part of the "Thousand Madleens" mission aimed at highlighting the dire humanitarian situation in the Palestinian enclave. Bahceci acknowledged that the journey has not been without difficulty, noting that adverse weather conditions in the Mediterranean have particularly affected the smaller boats within the convoy. However, he emphasized that the morale of all participants remains high and undeterred by the challenges. Another activist, Emrah Atis detailed their primary objectives. "We proceed under two main principles," Atis said. "The first is to deliver medical supplies and our team of doctors to Gaza. The second is to publicize this journey and make the world aware of the brutality occurring there." He specifically pointed to the blockade's impact on health and press freedom, stating one of their goals is to "break the blockade that restricts medical access and press coverage of Gaza." The FFC has been organizing such aid missions since 2008. Israel has maintained a blockade on Gaza, home to nearly 2.4 million, for nearly 18 years, and further tightened the siege in March when it closed border crossings and blocked food and medicine deliveries, pushing the enclave into famine. Since October 2023, Israeli bombardment has killed nearly 67,200 Palestinians, most of them women and children. The UN and rights groups have repeatedly warned that the enclave is being rendered uninhabitable, with starvation and disease rapidly spreading. Reporting by Nuri Aydin Writing by Sibel Uygun