BALCELONA, Spain — A fleet of ships loaded with humanitarian supplies and activists en route to Gaza returned to port on Monday morning due to a severe storm that struck parts of Spain overnight.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, which comprises around 20 vessels and includes participants from 44 nations, opted to postpone its mission to ensure the safety of all aboard, as stated in a Monday announcement.
With wind gusts exceeding 56 kilometers per hour (35 miles per hour), the smaller boats in the flotilla faced potential risks, the statement noted.
This flotilla represents the most significant attempt to break the Israeli blockade of the coastal Palestinian territory by sea. It is transporting vital provisions such as food, water, and medical supplies. The blockade has been in effect since Hamas took control from the Palestinian Authority in 2007, aimed at curbing the importation of weapons.
Participants aboard the flotilla have called for safe passage for their aid and the establishment of a humanitarian sea corridor, according to their statement.
On Sunday, thousands of pro-Palestinian supporters gathered under the sweltering sun at Barcelona’s old port to cheer on the flotilla as it departed.
Spain’s national meteorological agency, AEMET, had issued warnings regarding expected rainfall and high winds across Catalonia and other regions of Spain.
It remains uncertain when the convoy will once again set sail from Barcelona. Additional ships from Mediterranean locations, including Tunisia and Sicily, are anticipated to join in the coming days.
Among the notable participants are Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg and former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau. The flotilla has also garnered attention from Academy Award-winning actress Susan Sarandon and Liam Cunningham, renowned for his role in HBO’s “Game of Thrones.”
This is not Thunberg’s first attempt to reach Gaza’s waters this year; she was deported by Israeli authorities in June when the Madleen, the ship she was on with 11 others, was stopped by the Israeli Defense Forces.
The flotilla’s departure comes amid an escalation in Israel’s military operations in Gaza City, where preparations are underway to secure the densely populated northern area of the enclave. An Israeli official recently disclosed plans to slow or entirely halt humanitarian aid to the region.
Food security experts warned earlier this month that Gaza City is facing famine, with half a million residents reportedly enduring catastrophic hunger. These claims have been quickly dismissed by Israel, which refers to the thousands of tons of aid that have reportedly entered the region in recent months.
Previously, Israel has thwarted two activist attempts to breach the naval blockade in June and July. In June, 12 activists aboard the Madleen, hailing from nations including France, Germany, Brazil, Turkey, Sweden, Spain, and the Netherlands, were intercepted by Israeli forces 185 kilometers (115 miles) west of Gaza. They were detained and subsequently deported.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza commenced following an unprecedented attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 casualties, primarily civilians, and the abduction of 251 individuals.
The Gaza health ministry, operated by Hamas, claims that more than 62,000 people in the territory have died or are presumed dead due to the conflict, although these figures cannot be verified and do not distinguish between combatants and civilians. Israel asserts that it has killed over 22,000 militants as of August and an additional 1,600 terrorists in Israel during the October 7 attack. The Israeli government emphasizes its commitment to minimizing civilian casualties, stating that Hamas uses civilians in Gaza as human shields, fighting from populated areas such as homes, hospitals, schools, and mosques.
