Barcelona Flotilla Departs to Deliver Aid to Gaza

Barcelona: A humanitarian flotilla carrying aid for the people of Gaza has departed from the Spanish port city of Barcelona.

Organizers say the convoy, made up of dozens of vessels, aims to reach Gaza within 7 to 8 days. This is described as the largest sea mission yet, and the third major attempt to deliver supplies directly by sea.

The flotilla includes human rights activists from multiple countries, with Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg once again joining the effort. Thousands of supporters gathered at the port to see the ships off, waving Palestinian flags and chanting slogans such as “Free Palestine” and “This is not war, it is genocide.”

According to Al Jazeera, Brazilian activist Thiago Ávila, a member of the organizing committee, emphasized that the real focus should remain on Gaza’s people, saying: “We are not heroes, we are not the story — Gaza is the story.”

Participants in the mission include activists from Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Malaysia, Mexico, Poland, the United States, and several other nations.

Thunberg had previously attempted to reach Gaza in June but was detained along with other activists when Israeli forces intercepted their aid vessel. Despite that setback, she has joined this renewed effort to break the blockade and deliver much-needed relief supplies.