Climate activist Greta Thunberg has joined a flotilla of boats carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, departing from Barcelona on August 31, 2023. The mission aims to challenge Israel’s naval blockade and deliver essential supplies to the region, which has been severely impacted by ongoing conflicts.
Supporters gathered in large numbers at the port of Barcelona to witness the departure. Many waved Palestinian flags and chanted slogans including “Free Palestine” and “It’s not a war, it’s a genocide.” Thunberg addressed the crowd, emphasizing the mission’s purpose to confront what she called the “extremely violent, business-as-usual international system” that neglects international law.
Background on the Flotilla and Previous Attempts
This initiative follows a previous attempt by Thunberg and fellow activists in June 2023 to breach the blockade, which resulted in their small aid vessel being seized by Israeli forces. The activists were subsequently deported from Israel. Israeli authorities maintain that the blockade, imposed in 2007, is essential for preventing the smuggling of weapons to the Hamas militant group. They have characterized other attempts to breach the blockade, including Thunberg’s earlier effort, as propaganda supporting Hamas.
According to organizers, global leaders have failed to exert adequate pressure on Israel to allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. Reports from a global hunger monitor indicate that parts of Gaza are experiencing famine conditions, exacerbating the need for aid.
Aid Collections and Future Plans
The flotilla will expand as additional boats set sail from Greece, Italy, and Tunisia. Yasemin Acar, a member of the flotilla’s steering committee, highlighted that approximately 250 metric tons of food have been collected in the northwestern Italian port of Genoa. Some of this aid was loaded onto boats departing from Genoa on the same day, while the remainder is scheduled to be sent to the Sicilian port of Catania. Additional vessels are set to leave for Gaza on September 4, 2023.
The blockade has persisted through various conflicts, including the current war that escalated on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants launched an attack in southern Israel, killing over 1,200 individuals and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli reports. In retaliation, Israel’s military operations in Gaza have resulted in over 63,000 deaths, primarily among civilians, as reported by Gaza health officials. This ongoing violence has plunged the enclave into a humanitarian crisis, leaving much of its infrastructure in ruins.
The international community watches closely as this flotilla embarks on its mission, reflecting ongoing tensions and humanitarian concerns in the region. Thunberg’s efforts have reignited discussions about the blockade and the broader implications for those affected in Gaza.