Global Sumud Flotilla Faces Setback as Aid Mission to Gaza Forced to Turn Back
BARCELONA — The ambitious aid flotilla bound for Gaza, known as the Global Sumud Flotilla, has hit a major roadblock just hours after departing from Barcelona on Sunday.
The first convoy of the flotilla, involving dozens of boats and participants from 44 countries, was forced to return to shore after battling fierce winds of 56 kilometres per hour (35 miles per hour) overnight.
Originally, around 20 boats had set sail from Barcelona amidst a crowd of thousands of pro-Palestinian supporters who gathered at the city’s old port to bid them farewell.
Plans were in place for additional vessels to join from Mediterranean ports like Tunis in the coming days.
Organizers made the tough call to prioritize safety and bring the boats back to Spain due to the risky weather conditions, especially for the smaller vessels.
Notable figures onboard the flotilla, which aims to challenge the Israeli sea blockade of Gaza, include Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau. The mission has also garnered support from celebrities like Susan Sarandon and Liam Cunningham.
As Spain faces weather warnings of heavy rainfall and strong storms, the future departure date of the maritime convoy from Barcelona remains uncertain.
Israeli military presence is expected to thwart any attempts to reach Gaza, as seen in previous instances.
The urgency of the aid mission comes amidst alarming reports of famine in Gaza, with experts warning of catastrophic hunger levels affecting half a million people in the territory.
Gaza’s health ministry has reported 340 deaths, including 124 children, due to malnutrition, with a staggering total of over 63,000 Palestinian casualties in the ongoing 23-month war.
