An international aid flotilla, the Global Sumud Flotilla, set sail from Barcelona on Sunday (31 August) in what organisers describe as the largest maritime mission yet to challenge Israel’s long-standing blockade of Gaza.
The fleet is carrying humanitarian supplies and international activists in an attempt to deliver aid directly to the besieged Palestinian territory.
The flotilla faced an early setback on Monday morning (1 Sept), when strong winds of more than 30 knots (55.6 km/h) forced organisers to return to port for safety reasons.
Hours later, conditions improved and the fleet departed again from Barcelona on Monday evening.
Organised by four major coalitions – the Global Movement to Gaza, Freedom Flotilla Coalition, Maghreb Sumud Flotilla and Sumud Nusantara – the mission brings together volunteers from countries including Australia, Brazil, Colombia, South Africa and across Europe.
Organisers stressed that participants are not affiliated with any government or political party.
Among those on board are Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, Brazilian activist Thiago Ávila, former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau, Irish actor Liam Cunningham and Spanish actor Eduard Fernández.
Organisers said the Global Sumud Flotilla is the largest maritime mission to Gaza, with delegations from at least 44 countries.
In addition to the 20 or so boats departing from Barcelona, more vessels are expected to join in the coming days from across the Mediterranean, including Tunisia and Sicily.
Around 70 boats are expected to take part in the final leg of the journey, flotilla spokesperson Saif Abukeshek told Spanish public television.
The fleet could reach Gaza around 14 or 15 September, he added.
Previous Attempts Blocked by Israel
The current voyage follows earlier failed attempts to deliver aid to Gaza by sea.
In June, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) launched the civilian vessel Madleen from Catania, Sicily, carrying humanitarian aid and international human rights defenders.
Israeli forces intercepted the vessel in international waters, seizing it and towing it to the port of Ashdod.
Activists on board were detained and later deported.
Israeli authorities dismissed the Madleen as a “selfie yacht” for celebrities and claimed it carried “less than a single truckload of aid”.
In July, the FFC launched another vessel, the Handala, from Italy.
It too was intercepted by the Israeli military in international waters, with activists detained and deported.
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
The latest mission comes as the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to worsen.
In August, the United Nations-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) officially declared famine in the enclave.
The IPC reported that more than 514,000 people in Gaza are already facing catastrophic conditions marked by starvation, destitution and death.
The number is projected to rise to 641,000 by the end of September, with famine expected to spread further south to Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the IPC findings, calling the declaration “an outright lie”.
He said Israel does not have a policy of starvation, citing the delivery of aid into Gaza during the war.
Since May, the Israel- and US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) has overseen all food aid distribution, after Israel accused the UN of allowing Hamas to seize supplies.
The GHF claims it has distributed more than 148 million meals.
However, Gaza’s Health Ministry reported that more than 2,000 people seeking aid have been killed since the GHF takeover.
Since 7 October 2023, over 63,400 Palestinians, including at least 18,430 children, have been killed, according to the ministry’s latest figures.
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