CRETE – Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has joined an international aid flotilla attempting to deliver humanitarian supplies to the Gaza Strip, a mission that organizers report has already faced multiple sabotage attempts in international waters.
The initiative, named the Global Sumud Flotilla, consists of a convoy of over 40 boats from 45 countries. It is carrying approximately 50 tons of essential supplies, including food, medicine, and water, destined for Gaza’s 2.3 million residents. The United Nations has repeatedly warned of a high risk of famine in the territory, where local health authorities report over 41,000 deaths since the conflict escalated in October 2023.
The flotilla set sail in late August from various ports in Europe and North Africa with the explicit aim of challenging Israel’s 18-year naval blockade of Gaza. According to reports from the mission, the convoy has encountered at least ten incidents deemed as sabotage, including drone strikes, mysterious mechanical failures, and communications jamming while in international waters.
The situation has escalated to the point that the flotilla is now being escorted by naval vessels from Spain and Italy as it travels near Crete.
From aboard one of the vessels, Thunberg made a statement addressing the risks. “I’m not scared of Israel,” she said. “I’m scared of a world that has seemingly lost all sense of humanity.” She emphasized that the reported attacks would not deter their nonviolent effort to deliver aid.
Thunberg’s involvement, a significant shift from her primary focus on climate activism, has drawn global attention to the mission. The remark also sparked reactions on social media, with some users, like X user Eyal Yakoby, noting the contrast to her usual rhetoric, commenting, “I thought she was scared of climate.”
The journey and its outcome remain highly uncertain as the flotilla continues toward its destination.
