Greta Thunberg Joins Massive Gaza Flotilla
Hundreds of activists from 44 countries, dozens of boats, and Greta herself at the helm, the mission aims to break Israel’s blockade and open a permanent humanitarian corridor.
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A new “aid flotilla” to Gaza is set to launch in the coming days, and this time the scale is unprecedented. According to Italy’s La Repubblica, dozens of boats are preparing to depart from Barcelona, Sicily, Tunisia, and Greece, carrying activists from 44 countries determined to challenge Israel at sea.
Among them is climate activist Greta Thunberg, who, despite being detained in a previous attempt, is expected to once again try to reach Gaza aboard one of the ships. She will be joined by Ada Colau, former mayor of Barcelona, and other pro-Palestinian activists.
The Largest Civilian Mission at Sea?
Organizers claim this will be the “largest civilian maritime mission ever attempted” for Gaza. The first boats are expected to depart on August 31, with additional vessels joining on September 4.
Most of the vessels are small boats carrying humanitarian supplies, but their sheer number is designed to complicate Israeli interception efforts. The waiting list to join the flotilla has already reached 30,000 people, according to organizers.
“The aim is to lift the veil of the blockade and establish a permanent humanitarian channel to Gaza,” said spokesperson Maria Elena Dalia in an interview with La Repubblica. She acknowledged the high risk of arrest but insisted: “We do not want to be seen as a threat, but we cannot stay silent in the face of what is happening in Gaza.”
High Risk, High Tension
The operation is almost certain to be deemed illegal by Israel, which has repeatedly intercepted past flotillas, often leading to detentions and deportations. Israeli naval commandos, including elite units such as Shayetet 13, are expected to prepare for potential confrontation at sea.
Previous flotilla attempts, such as the “Handala” mission, ended in arrests, including Greta Thunberg herself, before participants were released. But organizers insist this new effort, larger and more diverse, could prove harder for Israel to block without significant international attention.
International Pressure Tactic
With tensions already high between Israel and Europe, the flotilla is being framed not just as an aid mission but as a deliberate political move to increase global pressure on Israel. “This flotilla may complicate Israeli security forces and make their work much harder,” Dalia warned.
Whether the mission succeeds or ends like its predecessors, it has already achieved one goal: putting Gaza back in international headlines, this time with Greta Thunberg leading the charge.