A flotilla consisting of around 20 boats has departed from Barcelona, carrying 350 pro-Palestinian activists, including climate activist Greta Thunberg. The vessels, adorned with Palestinian flags, left at 19:00 local time on Monday, loaded with medical supplies and food. This mission, named the Global Sumud Flotilla, aims to address what organizers describe as “Israel’s illegal siege on Gaza.” The flotilla initially attempted to set sail on Sunday but had to return due to inclement weather.
The mission is structured in two phases, with the second wave planned to depart from Tunis on September 4. Participants hope that the two groups will converge in the Mediterranean before making the journey to Gaza, which is expected to take approximately seven to eight days. Thunberg stated in a video message that the goal is to establish a humanitarian corridor.
Punk musician Bob Vylan addressed the crowd at the flotilla’s departure, referring to the activists as “brave individuals” and suggesting that their actions fulfill a need for government intervention. This follows a backdrop of previous attempts, where similar efforts to deliver aid to Gaza have been intercepted by Israeli forces, with Israeli officials labeling these missions as publicity stunts that do not provide significant humanitarian support.
Israel has enacted strict measures against goods entering Gaza, including a near-total blockade this March, with limited allowances made in late May following international appeals. A United Nations-backed body has recently reported famine conditions in parts of Gaza. Israel has also implemented its own distribution system through the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which has faced criticism from various aid organizations.
In a related incident, a yacht carrying Thunberg was intercepted by Israeli forces in June while attempting to reach Gaza, leading to the deportation of its passengers. Historically, tensions surrounding such aid missions have included violent encounters, such as the 2010 incident involving Israeli commandos and the Mavi Marmara, where ten individuals lost their lives.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn727mjn73lo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss