Flotilla carrying Greta Thunberg planned to sail towards Gaza, offering humanitarian aid

The Global Sumud Flotilla, an independent group of activists, politicians, and public figures, embarked on a historic mission from Barcelona today. Their goal is to break the illegal siege of Gaza and open a humanitarian corridor, as the United Nations declared a state of famine in the region this month, warning that 500,000 people face "catastrophic" conditions.

The flotilla, expected to be the largest solidarity mission in history, includes activists from several countries, European politicians, and public figures such as Ada Colau, the former mayor of Barcelona. Greta Thunberg, the renowned climate activist, is part of the flotilla's steering committee.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza has worsened in recent weeks, following an unprecedented cross-border attack by the Palestinian group Hamas into Israel on 7 October 2023, triggering the war in Gaza. Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed at least 63,371 Palestinians, most of them civilians, according to figures from the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza. The UN considers those figures reliable.

Israel has blocked two previous attempts by activists to deliver aid by ship to Gaza, in June and July. In June, 12 activists on board the sailboat Madleen were intercepted by Israeli forces 185km west of Gaza. Their passengers, including Greta Thunberg, were detained and eventually expelled. In July, 21 activists from ten countries were intercepted as they tried to approach Gaza in another vessel, the Handala.

The flotilla, which departed from the port of Tunis on September 4 at approximately 10:00 AM, will include dozens of other vessels expected to leave Tunisian and other Mediterranean ports on 4 September. Activists will stage simultaneous demonstrations and other protests in 44 countries in solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Mariana Mortagua, a left-wing Portuguese politician, has stated that the mission is a legal one under international law. Paul Murphy, a People Before Profit-Solidarity TD, has confirmed he will travel to Tunisia to join the flotilla. The flotilla's ultimate goal is to "break the illegal siege of Gaza" and "open a humanitarian corridor," aiming to alleviate the suffering of the people in Gaza and bring hope for a brighter future.

Sumud, meaning "perseverance" in Arabic, is the spirit that drives the Global Sumud Flotilla. They sail with the hope that their actions will bring attention to the plight of the people in Gaza and inspire others to take action in solidarity with them. The flotilla's arrival at the Gaza Strip is expected in mid-September.

Flotilla carrying Greta Thunberg planned to sail towards Gaza, offering humanitarian aid