An international coalition of activists, including prominent figures like Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg and former Member of Parliament Mandla Mandela, launched the first leg of a major humanitarian mission to Gaza on Sunday.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, described by organisers as the largest of its kind, departed from Barcelona with vessels carrying food, water, and medicine, in an attempt to break the long-standing Israeli sea blockade.
The convoy’s departure was met with a large show of support in the Spanish port city, where thousands gathered, waving Palestinian flags and chanting slogans. The initial boats are part of a larger fleet, with dozens more vessels expected to join from ports in Italy and Tunisia on 4 September. Organisers anticipate the full Gaza flotilla could reach the coastal enclave around 14 or 15 September.
In Johannesburg, family, friends, and supporters gathered at Zoo Lake on Sunday to bid farewell to the South African delegation, which includes about ten activists.
Previous attempts have been intercepted by Israeli forces, sometimes with tragic outcomes, such as the 2010 incident involving the “Mavi Marmara” where ten activists were killed.
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An international call for action
The mission has drawn participants from over 40 countries, including politicians, journalists, and activists. Greta Thunberg, speaking at a news conference before the departure, emphasised the humanitarian crisis. “The story here is about Palestine. The story here is how people are being deliberately deprived of the very basic means to survive,” she said.
This is not Thunberg’s first attempt; she was previously detained and deported by Israel in June during a similar effort.\
The flotilla is a direct response to the dire situation in the territory, where, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, the nearly 23-month war has resulted in over 63 000 deaths and severe malnutrition.
Jo Bluen from South African Jews For A Free Palestine, who will be on a legal support boat, stated their purpose is to document any illegal actions by Israeli forces, asserting that “those who are breaching this blockade are not only acting out of morality, out of a quest for liberation, but under international law are carrying out their legal obligations.”
The organisers maintain that the mission is legal under international maritime law, as the civilian vessels are carrying humanitarian aid in international waters. Despite the risks and past interceptions, the determination to deliver aid remains firm, highlighting the growing international pressure to address the humanitarian catastrophe in the region. The flotilla represents a significant, coordinated effort to provide relief and challenge the ongoing siege.
Image via US News.
