Sailboat voyage led by Greta Thunberg toward Gaza with hundreds of activists onboard for humanitarian aid mission
In a bold move, teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg has embarked on a flotilla voyage towards the embattled Gaza Strip. The mission, which includes hundreds of participants from 44 countries, aims to bring symbolic aid and open up a humanitarian corridor to deliver more aid.
The current war in Gaza, which began on 7 October 2023, has claimed more than 1,200 lives. Israel's retaliatory offensive against Hamas has resulted in the death of over 63,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry. Part of Gaza is suffering from famine, according to a global hunger monitor, a claim that Israel denies.
Thunberg, wearing a "we are all Palestine Action" T-shirt, expressed concern about the "silence of the world" regarding the situation in Gaza and the lack of humanity and compassion she sees. She has previously attempted to reach Gaza but was detained by Israeli forces and deported.
The flotilla, the largest carrying aid for Gaza, consists of dozens of boats, with more aid ships joining from Greece, Italy, and Tunisia. Egypt and Turkey will also join the fleet convoy bringing aid to Gaza. Thousands of supporters in Barcelona cheered her on, waving Palestinian flags.
Israel argues the blockade of Gaza is necessary to prevent weapons from being smuggled to Hamas. However, the flotilla is intended to challenge the international system failing to uphold international law. Thunberg rejects accusations of antisemitism, stating that her mission is about human rights and the need for action against the ongoing crisis in Gaza.
Israel's IDF (Israel Defence Forces) is prepared to act according to the directives of the political echelon in enforcing the naval blockade on Gaza. The war in Gaza has continued despite the naval blockade being in place throughout the conflicts, with Israel imposing the blockade on Gaza in 2007, preventing numerous attempts to reach Gaza since, including a vessel in 2010 resulting in the death of at least nine Turkish activists.
Thunberg's voyage towards Gaza is a powerful symbol of hope and solidarity for many, highlighting the ongoing crisis in the region and the need for international action to uphold human rights and international law.
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