Barcelona
AP
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A fleet of ships departed from Barcelona to the Gaza Strip, along with humanitarian aid and activists, attempted to lock the long Israeli blockade of Palestinian territory into the sea.
This is because Israel has stepped up its attacks on Gaza City and restricted the delivery of food and basic supplies north of Palestinian territory. Food experts warned earlier this month that the city was in hunger, with half a million people across the strip facing catastrophic levels of hunger.
Global Sumud Flotilla carries food, water and medicines. Activists on the board have called for safe passage to deliver much needed assistance and the opening of humanitarian sea corridors, according to the statement. More than 63,000 people have been killed in the nearly 23-month war, with at least 332 Palestinians nearly dying of malnutrition, including 124 children, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health.
The sea fleets of around 20 boats and delegations from 44 countries are allegedly the biggest attempt to break the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip, which has now been in operation for 18 years. They will be joining more ships from Italian and Tunisian ports in the coming days on the route from the western edge of the Mediterranean to the Gaza Strip, organizers said.
Thousands of supporters flocked to the jetty in Barcelona, some of whom dressed in caffies and chanted “Free Palestine!” And “Boycott Israel!” sends a variety of boats, from old, luxurious yachts to small wooden yachts and industrial ships, as well as flying Palestinian flags. One of these, Sirus, is over 100 years old.
Approximately 70 boats are expected to take part in the final leg of the journey, Flotilla spokesman Saif Abukesek told Spanish public television after departure. The fleet could arrive in Gaza around September 14th or 15th, he added.
“The story here is about Palestine. The story here is intentionally deprived of people of very basic means of survival,” Swedish activist Greta Samberg said at a press conference. She is one of the most famous figures on the expedition, and is formed by hundreds of activists, former mayor of Barcelona, Ada Kollou and journalists.
The ship carrying many humanitarian aid will depart from the city of Genoa, Italy, and will take part in the expedition in the coming days.
This is not the first time Samberg has tried to reach Gaza waters this year. When she was deported to Israel in June, the ship she was traveling with 11 other Madreen was stopped by Israeli forces.
“It was very clear that Israel was continuing to violate international law by attacking, illegally intercepting boats in international waters and continuing to prevent humanitarian aid from entering,” Tanberg said in an interview with the Associated Press on Saturday.
Global SUMUD FLOTILLA is the fourth attempt to break the maritime lockdown so far this year. Conscience first attempted in May, but after sailing from Malta, he was attacked by a drone. After Madleen, the Israeli forces stopped another aid ship. In late July Handala detained 21 international activists and reporters, seizing cargo containing dairy products, food and medicines.
At a press conference before his departure in Barcelona, actor Liam Cunningham performed a video showing the girl singing while planning her own funeral. The girl, Fatima, passed away four days ago, he said.
“What world did you slip into the place where the kids arrange their funerals?” Cunningham told reporters.
Israeli officials said on Saturday that they would soon be halted or delayed humanitarian aid to parts of northern Gaza to expand military attacks on Hamas the day after the country was declared a combat zone.
The war began on October 7, 2023, when attacks by Hamas militants in Israel took 1,200 people, most of whom have taken the lives of civilians and 251 hostages.
