Around 20 aid vessels departed Barcelona bound for Gaza
Around 20 vessels carrying humanitarian aid departed from the Port of Barcelona on Sunday, forming part of the Global Flotilla Sumund. Onboard are roughly 500 participants from various countries, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg. The initiative aims to challenge the long-standing Israeli naval blockade of the Gaza Strip.
In brief
About 20 vessels carrying humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip left the port of Barcelona on Sunday. Nearly 500 people from various countries are sailing in the Global Sumud Flotilla, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and a group from Poland, and arrival off the coast of Gaza is planned by mid-September. Further vessels are to join from other Mediterranean ports, including Tunisia. More than 37 maritime missions have taken place since the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip in 2007.
Additional vessels are expected to join the convoy in the coming days from other Mediterranean ports, including Tunisia. According to organizers, this will constitute the largest solidarity mission of its kind, with more ships and participants than all previous attempts combined.
Since the imposition of Israel’s naval blockade in 2007, more than 37 maritime missions have been launched toward Gaza. The current flotilla also includes a Polish delegation. Parallel pro-Palestinian demonstrations are being coordinated in over 40 countries whose citizens are represented on board.
The name “Sumund”, meaning “perseverance” in Arabic, reflects the flotilla’s determination. Two earlier attempts this summer were intercepted in June and July, with participants detained and subsequently deported.
The convoy is expected to reach Gaza waters by mid-September, subject to regional maritime security conditions.
Source: Gazeta Morska / PAP · Compiled by: Oskar Wojciechowski
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