A flotilla carrying activist Greta Thunberg and others departed from Barcelona for the Gaza Strip on Sunday with humanitarian assist on board.
The World Sumud Flotilla will attempt to break the Israeli blockade of the Palestinian territory and produce humanitarian assist, meals, water and medication 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 individuals throughout the strip had been going through catastrophic ranges of starvation. The practically 23-month battle has killed greater than 63,000 individuals, with no less than 332 Palestinians dying of malnutrition, together with 124 kids, in keeping with the Hamas-run Gaza Well being Ministry.
Activists, together with Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg, are departing Barcelona for Gaza as a part of the World Sumud Flotilla (GSF), a self-described
The maritime convoy, comprising roughly 20 boats and delegations from 44 international locations, can be joined by extra ships from ports in Italy, Greece, and Tunisia within the coming days because it navigates its route from the western Mediterranean to the Gaza Strip, organizers mentioned.
Thunberg and “Recreation of Thrones” actor Liam Cunningham are a number of 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 legislation 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 individuals, the Madleen, was stopped by the Israeli navy.
The flotilla, which can be joined by others launching from varied areas on September 4, contains activists, seafarers, docs, and artists from over 40 international locations. / Credit score: Mario Wurzburger / Getty Pictures
Cunningham, who will be a part of the flotilla, performed a video exhibiting a woman singing whereas planning her personal funeral. The lady, 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 informed reporters.
In late July, the Israeli navy stopped one other assist ship, detained 21 worldwide activists and reporters, and seized its cargo, together with child components, meals and medication, in keeping with 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 navy offensive towards Hamas, a day after town was declared a fight zone.
The battle started on Oct. 7, 2023, when an assault by Hamas terrorists inside Israel claimed the lives of 1,200 individuals, most of them civilians, and took 251 individuals 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.
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