A flotilla of boats headed for Gaza carrying 350 pro-Palestinian activists - including climate change campaigner Greta Thunberg - has departed from Barcelona.
Around 20 vessels displaying Palestinian flags left the Spanish port at 19:00 local time on Monday, stocked with medical and food supplies. The flotilla first attempted to set sail on Sunday, but had to return to port due to stormy weather.
The aim of the mission is to break Israel's illegal siege on Gaza, the organisers said - though a previous attempt to reach Gaza by sea was intercepted by Israeli forces.
The Global Sumud Flotilla Mission plans to launch in two waves - the first from Barcelona and the second from Tunis on 4 September. Activists hope the boats will converge in the Mediterranean before sailing towards Gaza, a trip that is estimated to take seven or eight days.
We are sailing again to break the siege and open up a humanitarian corridor, Thunberg said in a video message.
Punk singer Bob Vylan, who previously led a controversial chant at Glastonbury, spoke at the flotilla's departure, calling the activists brave individuals aiming to achieve what should have been government intervention.
Israeli authorities have characterized previous sailing attempts as publicity stunts offering little real assistance. Since March, Israel has faced international criticism due to a blockade on Gaza, which has led to a declared famine in some areas. Major humanitarian organizations have criticized Israel's measures implemented through the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.
This is not Thunberg's first attempt to assist Gaza; a previous aid-filled yacht was intercepted by Israeli forces earlier this year and the activists were deported.
In 2010, a similar flotilla incident resulted in the deaths of ten individuals when Israeli commandos boarded the Mavi Marmara ship.
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