Gaza flotilla restarts voyage after storm forced its return

The Independent looks at the threats to Greta Thunberg's mission as the maritime convoy sets off again from Barcelona

- TOM WATLING HARRIETTE BOUCHER

A flotilla of dozens of boats loaded with aid for Gaza departed Barcelona last night after stormy weather forced them to return to port earlier, Reuters footage showed.

Some of the boats of the Global Sumud Flotilla Mission blew their horns as they left the port.

“Free, free Palestine,” shouted some activists.

Pro-Palestinian activists, including climate campaigner Greta Thunberg and Game of Thrones actor Liam Cunningham, are on the flotilla of several dozen boats that is aiming to break Israel’s naval blockade and deliver food and humanitarian supplies to the enclave, which has been devastated by nearly two years of war.

The aid flotilla bound for Gaza had been forced to return to port in Barcelona early yesterday due to a storm, just hours after it set sail.

The flotilla left the Spanish city on Sunday, carrying food, water and medicine in what activists claimed was the largest civilian maritime mission to Israel of the war so far.

The Independent looks at who is taking part in the flotilla and the challenges it faces en route to the war-torn region.

What is the Global Sumud Flotilla?

The Global Sumud Flotilla consists of dozens of boats carrying pro-Palestinian activists who are aiming to break Israel’s naval blockade on Gaza and deliver food and supplies to the enclave.

Organisers say the flotilla is the largest maritime mission to Gaza so far. According to Al Jazeera, it is made up of more than 50 ships and delegations from at least 44 countries.