In brief
A flotilla consisting of about 20 boats departed Barcelona carrying over 350 activists, among them Greta Thunberg, who aim to break the blockade on Gaza and provide humanitarian assistance. The mission, organized by the Global Sumud Flotilla, follows prior attempts that encountered interception by Israeli forces. Thunberg emphasized the need to open a humanitarian corridor for those suffering in Gaza.
A flotilla of boats headed for Gaza carrying 350 pro-Palestinian activists - including climate change campaigner Greta Thunberg - has departed from Barcelona.
Around 20 vessels displaying Palestinian flags left the Spanish port at 19:00 local time on Monday, stocked with medical and food supplies.
The flotilla first attempted to set sail on Sunday but had to return to port due to stormy weather.
The aim of the mission is to break Israel's illegal siege on Gaza, the organisers said - though a previous attempt to reach Gaza by sea was intercepted by Israeli forces.
The Global Sumud Flotilla Mission plans to launch in two waves - the first from Barcelona and the second from Tunis on September 4. Activists hope the boats will converge in the Mediterranean before sailing towards Gaza, a trip that is estimated to take seven or eight days.
We are sailing again to break the siege and open up a humanitarian corridor, Thunberg said in a video message.
Punk singer Bob Vylan - who recently sparked controversy for leading a chant of death to the IDF [Israel Defence Forces] at Glastonbury - spoke at the flotilla's departure on Sunday, calling the activists brave individuals who were attempting to do what should have been done by government intervention a long time ago.
Israeli authorities have characterized a previous attempt to sail aid to Gaza as a publicity stunt that offered no real humanitarian assistance. In recent months, Israel has imposed strict blockades on goods entering Gaza, leading to a humanitarian crisis worsened by declarations of famine in certain regions.
In June, Thunberg and fellow activists were intercepted by Israeli forces while attempting to carry a symbolic amount of humanitarian aid to Gaza, and were subsequently deported from the country.
In 2010, a similar flotilla effort ended tragically with Israeli forces killing ten aboard the Mavi Marmara as they sought to deliver aid to Gaza.
