The Greta Thunberg-led Global Sumud Flotilla - the largest attempt yet to “break the illegal siege of Gaza” by sea - has departed for Gaza from Barcelona.
Political and environmental activist Thunberg declared at least 20 vessels left the port on the Spanish east coast on Sunday afternoon. According to the activists, they will join up with others departing from Tunisia and other Mediterranean ports on September 4 and expect to arrive in Gaza by mid-September.
Along with humanitarian aid and activists, the maritime convoy is carrying high-profile figures such as Portugal’s Left Bloc leader Mariana Mortágua as well as public figures from 44 different countries like Irish actor Liam Cunningham and Spain’s Eduard Fernandez.
Barcelona-based Palestinian activist, Saif Abukeshek, reiterated that their “nonviolent mission to open a corridor of humanitarian aid” is protected under international law.
The flotilla, whose name means “perseverance” in Arabic, was launched after the United Nations declared a state of famine in Gaza earlier this month. Citing the results of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis, UN Secretary-General António Guterres labelled the dire situation in Gaza as “a man-made disaster and a failure of humanity itself”.
For context - a famine is confirmed when three critical thresholds - extreme food deprivation, acute malnutrition and starvation-related deaths - have been breached.
Despite this, Israel doubled down on its plans to take control of Gaza City and forcibly displace about a million Palestinians living in the enclave. Furthermore, Thunberg slammed the Israeli government for what she calls a genocide and said one does not kill journalists unless you have something to hide.
This is not the first time activists like Thunberg are attempting to reach Gaza waters this year. Israel has already blocked previous two attempts to deliver aid by ship to Gaza.
In June, 12 activists on board the sailboat Madleen were intercepted by Israeli forces 185 km west of Gaza following which they were detained and eventually expelled.
In late July, the Israeli military stopped another aid ship - the Handala, part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. 21 international activists and reporters were detained, and its cargo, including baby formula, food and medicine were seized.
Though many believe that Israel will probably find it logistically difficult to deal with the number of vessels arriving at the same time, the ships and its occupants will likely face the same fate.
If that is to be the case, a defiant Thunberg declared that they have a plan B. She declared that if Israel once again decides to violate international law and prevent humanitarian aid from getting into Gaza, their ‘plan B’ is to come back even bigger.
