A flotilla has departed from Barcelona to the Gaza Strip with humanitarian aid and activists on board in the largest attempt yet to break the long Israeli blockade of the Palestinian territory by sea.
This comes as Israel has stepped up its offensive on Gaza City, limiting the deliveries of food and basic supplies in the north of the Palestinian territory. Food experts warned earlier this month that the city was in famine and half a million people across the strip were facing catastrophic levels of hunger.
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, centre, before boarding a boat in Barcelona, part of a civilian flotilla bound for Gaza to break the Israeli blockade and deliver humanitarian aid.Credit: AP
The Global Sumud Flotilla left on Sunday carrying food, water and medicine on about 20 boats. Organisers say other vessels will join the flotilla along the way, with 70 expected to reach Gaza on September 14 or 15.
Activists on board demanded safe passage to deliver the much-needed aid and the opening of a humanitarian sea corridor, according to a statement.
The almost 23-month war has killed more than 63,000 people, with at least 332 Palestinians dying of malnutrition, including 124 children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
“The story here is about Palestine. The story here is how people are being deliberately deprived of the very basic means to survive,” said Swedish activist Greta Thunberg at a news conference.
She is one of the most recognisable figures on the expedition, formed by hundreds of activists, politicians such as the former mayor of Barcelona, Ada Colau, and journalists.
AP
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