Greta Thunberg sails to Gaza: relief supplies against the blockade!

Greta Thunberg sails to Gaza: relief supplies against the blockade!

Greta Thunberg is on her way to the Gaza Strip today with the sailboat “Madleen” to provide humanitarian aid and draw attention to the critical supply situation. The ride from the international Freedom Flotilla Coalition organized began on Sunday in the port of Catania, Sicily. Together with eleven other activists on board, she plans to bring relief supplies to the war-affected area and send a strong signal against the Israeli blockade.

Thunberg, who has become more committed to Palestinian rights in recent years, gave an emotional speech before the departure in which she sharply criticized international inaction. “We must raise the voices of those who are not heard,” she said, turning the focus to the dramatic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.

Objective and scope of the mission

On board the “Madleen” are not only relief supplies such as baby food and medical supplies, but also well-known personalities such as the actor Liam Cunningham and the MEP Rima Hassan. Hassan cannot enter Israel, which increases the pressure on his fellow travelers. This mission aims to draw the international community's attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and challenge Israel's "illegal siege", which the UN says has led to massive restrictions on the distribution of aid.

The situation in the Gaza Strip is getting worse. Despite a slight easing of the blockade in May, the supply situation remains unstable. Aid organizations and the UN report a catastrophic situation characterized by looting and a breakdown in public order. It is estimated that hunger and disease could soon claim more lives than the bombings in the region.

Risks and challenges

The group's last attempt to reach Gaza by sea failed tragically in May when the ship Conscience was damaged in a drone strike near Malta. This mission, also known as the “Global March to Gaza,” is also planning a ground offensive against the blockade, starting from Rafah, Egypt, in mid-June to raise further awareness of the Palestinian situation.

The international community faces a critical challenge. Experts warn that the ongoing blockade and humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is being ignored by many, while Israel maintains this state of affairs through targeted measures. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) had already ruled that Israel must comply with its obligations under the Genocide Convention and not prevent the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Greta Thunberg's commitment and the Freedom Flotilla Coalition's initiatives are part of a broader call to end the Israeli blockade and support the Palestinian people. This mission can also be understood as an urgent appeal to the international community to work for peace and justice in the region.

Further information about the mission can be found at vol.at and bluewin.ch.