A flotilla carrying activist Greta Thunberg and different activists that left Barcelona for the Gaza Strip Sunday with humanitarian assist on board circled as a consequence of stormy climate, organizers mentioned Monday. There was no phrase on once they would possibly attempt once more.
“Resulting from unsafe climate situations, we carried out a sea trial then returned to port to permit the storm to cross,” they mentioned.
The World Sumud Flotilla intends to attempt to break the Israeli blockade of the Palestinian territory and produce humanitarian assist, meals, water and drugs to Gaza as Israel steps up its offensive in Gaza Metropolis.
“The story right here is about Palestine,” Thunberg mentioned at a press convention in Barcelona. “The story right here is how persons are being intentionally disadvantaged of the very primary means to outlive.”
Meals specialists warned earlier this month that Gaza Metropolis was in famine and that half 1,000,000 folks throughout the strip have been going through catastrophic ranges of starvation. The practically 23-month struggle has killed greater than 63,000 folks, with at the least 332 Palestinians dying of malnutrition, together with 124 kids, based on the Hamas-run Gaza Well being Ministry.
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The maritime convoy, comprising roughly 20 boats and delegations from 44 nations, will likely be joined by extra ships from ports in Italy, Greece, and Tunisia because it navigates its route from the western Mediterranean to the Gaza Strip, organizers mentioned.
Thunberg and “Recreation of Thrones” actor Liam Cunningham are among the most recognizable figures on the expedition, in addition to activists, politicians like former mayor of Barcelona, Ada Colau, and journalists.
“It has been very clear that Israel has been repeatedly violating worldwide regulation by both attacking, unlawfully intercepting the boats in worldwide waters, and repeatedly stopping the humanitarian assist from coming in”, mentioned Thunberg in an interview with The Related Press on Saturday.
It’s not the primary time Thunberg and Cunninham will try to achieve Gaza waters this yr. She was deported in June when the ship she was touring on with 11 different folks, the Madleen, was stopped by the Israeli army.
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Cunningham, who will be a part of the flotilla, performed a video displaying a woman singing whereas planning her personal funeral. The woman, Fatima, died 4 days in the past, he mentioned.
“What kind of world have we slid into the place kids are making their very own funeral preparations?” Cunningham instructed reporters.
In late July, the Israeli army stopped one other assist ship, detained 21 worldwide activists and reporters, and seized its cargo, together with child components, meals and drugs, based on Freedom Flotilla Coalition.
An Israeli official mentioned Saturday that the nation will quickly halt or gradual humanitarian assist into components of northern Gaza, because it expands its army offensive towards Hamas, a day after the town was declared a fight zone.
The struggle started on Oct. 7, 2023, when an assault by Hamas terrorists inside Israel claimed the lives of 1,200 folks, most of them civilians, and took 251 folks hostage.
Editor’s Word: This text has been corrected. A consultant for Susan Sarandon tells CBS Information that whereas the actress is supportive of the trigger, she was not on the flotilla, as was beforehand reported by The Related Press.
