A flotilla of ships set sail from Barcelona on Sunday carrying humanitarian aid bound for the Gaza Strip, amid intensifying Israeli military operations in the region. The maritime convoy, called the Global Sumud Flotilla, aims to breach Israel’s naval blockade and deliver food, water, and medicine to Palestinians suffering from extreme shortages.
Organizers say the convoy will eventually include up to 20 ships, with vessels joining from Italy, Greece, and Tunisia. Delegates from 44 countries are participating in the mission. The movement is supported by activists, journalists, and celebrities, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and actors Susan Sarandon and Liam Cunningham.
The ships were seen departing Barcelona’s port under Palestinian flags, as crowds gathered to chant anti-Israel slogans. Thunberg, speaking at a press conference, claimed Palestinians were being “deliberately deprived” of the basic means of survival and criticized global leaders for remaining silent.
This is not Thunberg’s first attempt to enter Gaza waters. In June, she was deported by Israeli forces when her ship, the Madleen, was intercepted. A later attempt in July ended with the detention of 21 international activists and the seizure of baby formula, food, and medicine, according to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition.
The renewed flotilla effort comes as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens. Gaza’s Health Ministry claims 332 Palestinians have died due to malnutrition, including 124 children. Earlier this month, international food security monitors declared a famine in Gaza City and warned of “catastrophic” hunger affecting over 500,000 people.
An Israeli official stated on Saturday that humanitarian aid to northern Gaza would soon be restricted further as Israel expands its offensive in Gaza City, now designated a combat zone. The military continues operations targeting Hamas infrastructure following the October 7, 2023, attack in which Hamas terrorists killed 1,200 Israelis and took 251 hostages. In the war’s aftermath, Gaza health officials report over 63,000 Palestinian deaths, though those figures are unverified.
Actor Liam Cunningham, also part of the flotilla, played a video of a young Palestinian girl named Fatima singing while preparing her funeral. Cunningham said the girl died four days ago and questioned how the world had reached a point where children plan their own burials.
