In brief
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has arrived in Tunisia with a flotilla of approximately 20 vessels loaded with aid for Gaza. The mission, supported by 350 pro-Palestinian activists, aims to challenge what they describe as an illegal siege by Israel on Gaza. Upon arrival, Thunberg addressed large crowds, condemning the humanitarian situation in Gaza and emphasizing the collective responsibility to aid those in distress. The group will pause in Tunisia to load additional aid before continuing their journey to Gaza, despite previous attempts being met with obstacles.
Huge crowds gathered at Tunisia's port on Sunday to welcome Greta Thunberg as her aid flotilla, bound for Gaza, docked at the port.
The Swedish climate activist is travelling with 350 pro-Palestinian activists on boats stocked with aid that they are hoping to deliver to Palestinians in Gaza.
Pictures from the Sidi Bou Said port show hordes of people surrounding the 22-year-old as she addressed the crowd. We all know why we are here, she said. Just across the water there's a genocide going on, a mass starvation by Israel's murder machine.
Israel has repeatedly denied that there is starvation in Gaza and has attributed any hunger to Hamas and failures in aid distribution. Last month, a UN-backed body did confirm the existence of famine in the territory, with the UN's humanitarian chief citing systematic obstruction of aid by Israel as a significant factor.
French-Palestinian Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan, present at the port, remarked, The Palestinian cause is not in the hands of governments today. It is in the hearts of peoples everywhere, commending those who stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people.
The flotilla’s mission aims to break what they claim is Israel’s illegal siege on Gaza. Previous attempts have faced opposition, including a June mission that was intercepted by Israeli forces.
Beginning last Monday, the flotilla embarked from Barcelona with approximately 20 vessels. The group's current stop in Tunisia is intended to replenish supplies and involve local activists before they continue to Gaza. The Israeli authorities have dismissed Thunberg's previous attempt to deliver aid to Gaza as a mere publicity stunt devoid of significant humanitarian impact.
In March, Israeli forces imposed a near-total blockade on supplies intended for Gaza, citing concerns that aid was being co-opted by Hamas. International pressure has since led to a limited easing of this blockade.
