Greta Thunberg travels to Gaza to 'break blockade' months after saying she’d been 'kidnapped' by Israeli officials
Swedish activist Greta Thunberg is heading back to the Middle East today as part of a flotilla of boats attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to those suffering in Gaza.
As part of the largest attempt yet to break Israel's blockade of the area - following the United Nations ruling that Palestinian people are now suffering from a famine - a horde of ships departed from Barcelona, Spain yesterday (31 Aug).
The move comes in response to Israel upping its offensive on Gaza by shutting down food distribution centres across the land, as well as the bombing of local bakeries in the area, and placing restrictions on medical aid.
Gaza Health Ministry claims that, so far, over 63,000 lives have been lost as a result of the war, with more than 332 Palestinians dying of starvation - 124 being children.
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Along with hundreds of pro-Palestine activists, 22-year-old Thunberg boarded the Global Sumud Flotilla today, armed with food, water and medication, having demanded safe passage to Gaza, as per ITV News.
The group - which is said to include delegates from 44 countries - could be seen sporting kaffiyehs and chanting statements including 'Free Palestine!' and 'Boycott Israel!'
The convoy will be joined by a further mass of ships travelling from ports in Italy and Tunisia in the coming days, organisers have told press.
Thunberg previously declared at a news conference: "The story here is about Palestine. The story here is how people are being deliberately deprived of the very basic means to survive."
The voyage comes months following the young activist's first attempt to deliver aid to the people of Gaza.
Back in June, Thunberg was 'intercepted and kidnapped' by Israeli forces whilst travelling through the area on a British-flagged yacht operated by the pro-Palestinian Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC).
The group - a 12-man crew - were apprehended whilst attempting to challenge Israel's naval blockage of the area, and deliver 'baby formula, food and medical supplies' to malnourished Palestinians.
A video shared on social media at the time heard Thunberg explain: "My name is Greta Thunberg and I am from Sweden. If you see this video, we have been intercepted and kidnapped in international waters by the Israeli occupational forces - or forces that support Israel.
"I urge all my friends, family and comrades to put pressure on the Swedish government to release me and the others as soon as possible."
The crew were later deported from the Middle East to their respective home countries via France.
Ahead of her latest mission, however, Thunberg told the Associated Press on Saturday (30 Aug): "It has been very clear that Israel has been continuously violating international law by either attacking, unlawfully intercepting the boats in international waters, and continuously preventing the humanitarian aid from coming in."
In response, Israel threatened to soon halt humanitarian aid into parts of northern Gaza, claiming it plans to expand its military offensive against Hamas.
Rhianna Benson