Gemma McLoughlin-Burke BL and Leigh Brosnan BL, as well as English solicitor Alexander Hogg, are on board the independent legal support boat, which this morning began its journey alongside the Global Sumud Flotilla.

Hundreds of activists from over 45 countries are taking part in the flotilla, which represents the largest-ever civilian effort to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza, which is illegal under international law.

It comes as famine takes hold across the Gaza Strip as a result of Israeli authorities’ restrictions on the entrance of humanitarian aid, according to UN experts.

A similar initiative in June involving a lone civilian ship called the Madleen saw it intercepted by Israeli forces, drawing condemnation from the Irish government and international human rights organisations.

Lawyers on the independent legal support boat will regularly publish legal updates and press releases on the progress of the flotilla.

“I would encourage as many lawyers as possible to share this information, which will be made up of independent legal views on the flotilla and their interactions with other bodies, if any, while at sea,” Ms McLoughlin-Burke told Irish Legal News.

“There has been a substantial amount of coverage of the flotilla which has been politicised and emotionally charged. It is the role of the support boat to dispel myths and misinformation and deal with the issues in a purely legal manner.

“We would be immensely grateful if as many lawyers as possible could assist us in dispelling this misinformation.”

The progress of the fleet can be tracked on the Global Sumud Flotilla website.