BARCELONA (AP) – Departing from Barcelona to the Gaza Strip, on Sunday with humanitarian aid, activists and celebrities trying to break Israeli blockade of Palestinian territory.
This is as follows: Israel has stepped up attacks on Gaza citylimiting the delivery of food and basic supplies north of Palestinian territory. Food experts warned earlier this month that the city was in hunger, with half a million people across the strip facing catastrophic levels of hunger.
Global Sumud Flotilla carries food, water and medicines. Activists on the board have called for safe passage to deliver much needed assistance and the opening of humanitarian sea corridors, according to the statement. More than 63,000 people have been killed in the nearly 23-month war, with at least 332 Palestinians nearly dying of malnutrition, including 124 children, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health.
The sea fleets of around 20 boats and delegations from 44 countries are allegedly the biggest attempt to break the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip, which has now been in operation for 18 years. They will be joined by more ships from Italian, Greek and Tunisian ports in the coming days on the route from the western edge of the Mediterranean to the Gaza Strip, organizers said.
Thousands of supporters flocked to the jetty in Barcelona, some of whom dressed in caffies and chanted “Free Palestine!” And “Boycott Israel!” Flying Palestinian flags awaited the sailing of boats, from old, devastated, luxurious yachts to small wooden yachts and industrially-looking vessels. One of these, Sirus, is over 100 years old.
“The story here is about Palestine. The story here is intentionally deprived of people of very basic means of survival,” Swedish activist Greta Samberg said at a press conference. She will become one of the most famous figures on the expedition along with actors Susan Sarandon and Liam Cunningham, as well as activists, former mayor of Barcelona, Ada Kollow and journalist.
This is not the first time Samberg has tried to reach Gaza waters this year. She was deported in June The ship she was traveling with 11 other Madreen was stopped by the Israeli army.
“It was very clear that Israel was continuing to violate international law by attacking, illegally intercepting boats in international waters and continuing to prevent humanitarian aid from entering,” Tanberg said in an interview with the Associated Press on Saturday.
Cunningham performed a video showing the girl singing while planning her own funeral. The girl, Fatima, passed away four days ago, he said.
“What world did you slip into the place where the kids arrange their funerals?” Cunningham told reporters.
Late July, Israeli forces stopped another aid shipFreedom Flotilla Coalition said 21 international activists and reporters were detained and cargo containing baby formula, food and medicine were seized.
Israeli officials said on Saturday that the country will soon suspend or delay humanitarian aid in parts of the north. Gazaas it expands its military attack on Hamas, the day after the city is declared a combat zone.
The war began on October 7, 2023, when attacks by Hamas militants in Israel took 1,200 people, most of whom have taken the lives of civilians and 251 hostages.
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Medrano reported from Santiago, Spain.
