Greta Thunberg Joins Gaza Flotilla Departing from Barcelona

Wed Oct 22 2025 14:32:38 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A flotilla of boats carrying around 350 activists, including climate advocate Greta Thunberg, has set off from Barcelona aimed at breaching the blockade on Gaza.

Greta Thunberg is aboard a flotilla of 20 vessels that departed Barcelona, carrying essential supplies and a message to break Israel's blockade on Gaza. This mission follows a previous attempt that was blocked due to bad weather. Activists seek to establish a humanitarian corridor amid rising tensions and humanitarian needs 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 4 September.

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 stirred controversy for leading a chant of death to the IDF [Israel Defence Forces] at Glastonbury, spoke at the flotilla's departure. He called the activists brave individuals attempting to do what should have been done by government intervention long ago.

Israeli authorities have characterized a previous attempt to sail aid to Gaza as a publicity stunt offering no real humanitarian assistance. In March, Israel introduced a nearly three-month total blockade on goods entering Gaza, allowing only a limited amount back into the territory in late May following international pressure. A UN-backed body has since declared parts of Gaza to be experiencing famine.

Israel has attempted to impose its distribution system through the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which has been criticized by aid agencies.

In June, a yacht carrying Thunberg and several other activists was intercepted by Israeli forces as it tried to reach Gaza. Israeli authorities escorted the activists to the port of Ashdod before deporting them from the country.

In 2010, Israeli commandos killed 10 people when they boarded the Turkish ship Mavi Marmara, part of a previous flotilla attempting to deliver aid to Gaza.