Greta Thunberg was seen laughing as her flotilla set off again for Gaza after it was forced to turn back just hours after leaving Spain.
The activist appeared to be in good spirits as around 20 boats flying Palestinian flags left the Spanish port yesterday evening with food and medical aid on board.
The group, which includes 350 campaigners, says the mission is aimed at ‘breaking Israel’s illegal siege on Gaza’ and opening a humanitarian route.
The convoy first tried to leave on Sunday but returned to port because of stormy weather.
This time, the activists hope to join a second wave of ships sailing from Tunis next week before heading towards Gaza, a journey expected to take about seven or eight days.
Swedish environmental campaigner Thunberg said in a video message: ‘We are sailing again to break the siege and open up a humanitarian corridor.’
Punk singer Bob Vylan, who caused an uproar at Glastonbury when he chanted ‘death to the IDF [Israel Defence Forces],’ spoke at the send-off on Sunday and praised the campaigners.
He said they were ‘brave individuals’ who were ‘attempting to do what should have been done by government intervention a long time ago.’
Experts have described the mission as the most significant attempt yet to challenge Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip by reaching the area by sea.
Israel has been extremely critical of such missions and has called them a publicity stunt that does not help the people in Gaza.
On Sunday, it was reported that Israel was planning to throw Thunberg in a terror cell if she lands in Gaza. The planned sail comes just weeks after she was detained in international waters by the country.
According to new reports, Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s Minister of National Security, was drawing up a plan to present to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that would see the activist detained in a terrorist prison.
It was also claimed that as part of the plan, vessels would be seized and used to establish a ‘maritime force for police operations’.
Sources reportedly close to the minister told Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom: ‘Following several weeks at Ktzi’ot and Damon (Israeli prisons), they’ll be sorry about the time they arrived here.
‘We must eliminate their appetite for another attempt.’ Ben-Gvir was said to have presented the plan to prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his residence.
Her first attempt to go to Gaza in June was foiled by Israeli forces. Defence minister Israel Katz ordered the military to stop her from getting anywhere near Gaza.
He said at the time: ‘I have instructed the IDF (Israel Defence Forces) to act so that the hate flotilla … does not reach the shores of Gaza – and to take all necessary measures to that end.’
Katz added: ‘To the antisemitic Greta [Thunberg] and her friends who echo Hamas propaganda, I say clearly: You’d better turn back – because you will not reach Gaza. Israel will act against any attempt to break the blockade or to assist terrorist organisations – by sea, by air, and by land.’
During that voyage, one of the activists on board, Thiago Avila, posted a voice note on Telegram saying: ‘We have been surrounded by many lights all at once; they were circling our boat but in the end they kept going their own way.’
The group reported that Israel used drones to spray an irritant on their flotilla before officials boarded and detained them at the coast of Gaza. They also said: ‘Communications are jammed, and disturbing sounds are being played over the radio.’
She and 11 other passengers were taken to Israel and given an ultimatum – either agree to be deported or get arrested.
Thunberg agreed to be deported while some of the other passengers were held. At the time, Katz said he had instructed officials to show the group videos of the October 7 massacre after they were arrested.
Upon arrival at an airport in Paris, she hit out at Israel, accusing the nation of kidnapping her while she and her fellow passengers were in international waters.
The Global Sumud Flotilla is made up of several vessels transporting pro-Palestinian activists aiming to deliver food and supplies to the enclave.
Former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau and Barcelona councillor Jordi Coronas are involved in the mission alongside Thunberg and Game of Thrones actor Liam Cunningham.
According to critics, Israel’s Gaza blockade has contributed to the deaths of thousands of Palestinians, with hundreds reportedly dying of starvation in recent months.
Israel, however, has strongly denied that it is using hunger as a strategy in its war against Hamas. Despite this, international organisations last week declared that Gaza had officially been plunged into famine following weeks of warning.
The group’s voyage comes as the IDF continues its quest to fully take over the entire Gaza Strip.
Netanyahu’s plans have been criticised by world leaders, including the UK’s Keir Starmer.
Meanwhile, it was reported today that Belgium is set to officially recognise a Palestinian state and introduce fresh sanctions on Israel.
