Barcelona flotilla sails for Gaza aid

Thousands gathered at Barcelona’s port to support the departure of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a humanitarian convoy aiming to break the Israeli naval blockade of Gaza. This initiative, the largest of its kind, includes climate activist Greta Thunberg and former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau, alongside hundreds of international activists. The flotilla, loaded with essential aid such as food, water, and medicine, is set to be joined by vessels from Italy, Greece, and Tunisia.

Organizers described the mission as a civilian response to the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where ongoing conflict has led to tens of thousands of deaths, a looming famine, and widespread suffering. Supporters, waving Palestinian flags, called for international respect for human rights and adherence to humanitarian law, emphasizing the right to peaceful aid delivery. This event highlights significant public solidarity and growing civil society momentum against the ongoing siege of Gaza.

Thunberg previously attempted to break the blockade in June but was thwarted when Israeli forces seized her aid ship, leading to her deportation. Israel maintains that the blockade, imposed in 2007, is essential to prevent weapons smuggling to Hamas and has dismissed other attempts to breach it as propaganda efforts supporting the militant group.

Flotilla organizers criticized global leaders for not exerting pressure on Israel to allow aid into Gaza, especially as a global hunger monitor reported that parts of the region are experiencing famine. The blockade has persisted through various conflicts, including the current war that began when Hamas militants attacked southern Israel, resulting in over 1,200 Israeli deaths and numerous hostages. In response, Israel's military campaign in Gaza has reportedly killed more than 63,000 people, primarily civilians, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis and leaving much of the enclave in ruins.