A flotilla carrying humanitarian aid and activists, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, is set to depart from Barcelona. The goal? To challenge the blockade of Gaza.
The Global Sumud Flotilla aims to create a humanitarian corridor and raise awareness of the ongoing situation for the Palestinian people. While details about the number of ships and the exact time of departure are still under wraps, the flotilla is expected to reach Gaza around mid-September.
Activist Thiago Ávila shared that this could be the largest mission of its kind, with more participants and vessels than previous efforts. Organizers anticipate that boats will also leave from Tunisian and other Mediterranean ports on September 4.
In addition to the flotilla, demonstrations will take place in 44 countries to show solidarity with Palestinians. Thunberg, a steering committee member for the mission, announced this on Instagram. The flotilla will also include activists from various countries, European lawmakers, and notable figures like former Barcelona mayor, Ada Colau.
Portugal’s left-wing lawmaker Mariana Mortágua emphasized that they regard the mission as legal under international law.
This endeavor follows previous attempts by activists to deliver aid by ship. In June, activists on the sailboat Madleen were intercepted by Israeli forces, and in July, another group on the vessel Handala faced a similar fate. These incidents highlight the ongoing challenges facing humanitarian efforts in the region.
Recent statistics show that nearly 2 million people in Gaza are in desperate need of aid. According to a report from the United Nations, around 80% of the population relies on some form of assistance. This underscores the urgency of the flotilla’s mission and the support it aims to gather.
As social media buzz around the flotilla grows, user reactions vary. Many express hope for successful aid delivery, while others remain skeptical of the mission’s potential impact.
For more information on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, you can refer to the latest UN reports here.