Climate activist Greta Thunberg sets sail for Gaza to break Israel’s blockade
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Why Greta Thunberg and actor Liam Cunningham are sailing to Gaza
- Greta Thunberg and 11 other activists, including actor Liam Cunningham, set sail for Gaza on Sunday to break “Israel’s siege” and deliver aid.
- The activists are travelling on the boat Madleen, operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, and expect the journey to take seven days if they are not stopped.
- Before departing, Ms Thunberg said the group aims to raise international awareness of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, emphasising the importance of continuing to try despite the odds.
- This attempt follows a previous failed effort in early May, when another Freedom Flotilla ship was allegedly attacked by drones, which the group blamed on Israel.
- Israel defends its blockade as a means to pressure Hamas to release hostages taken during the 7 October 2023 attack, while critics accuse Israel of genocidal acts in its war in Gaza, a charge Israel vehemently denies.