Why is Greta Thunberg sailing towards Gaza?

Greta Thunberg and a group of climate activists are sailing towards Gaza in an attempt to “break Israel’s siege” on the region.

They are travelling on the Madleen, a boat operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which left the southern Italian port of Catania last week.

Rima Hassan, who is a member of the European Parliament, is also on board. The boat is carrying humanitarian supplies.

ALSO READ | A new aid delivery system has started in Gaza. Why is it causing controversy?

Although aid has started to reach Gaza again in small amounts, relief groups say the situation remains critical and people are at risk of severe hunger.

Now, Israel has responded to Thunberg’s action, saying it will take steps as needed.

Why is Greta Thunberg sailing to Gaza? Who else is on the boat with her? And how has Israel reacted?

Let’s answer these questions for you.

Why is Greta Thunberg headed to Gaza? Who else is on the trip?

Thunberg is heading to Gaza on a humanitarian ship to protest against Israel’s war on the territory and its blockade on aid.

The journey is organised by the Freedom Flotilla, a coalition of groups opposing the blockade Israel imposed on Gaza on March 2, which has only recently started to ease.

Alongside Thunberg, European Parliament member Rima Hassan is also on the trip.

Hassan said the mission has “several aims: to condemn the humanitarian blockade and ongoing genocide, the impunity granted to the state of Israel and raise international awareness”.

Hassan, known for her outspoken views with the French left-wing party LFI, was previously denied entry to Israel when she planned to visit the occupied Palestinian territories with a European Parliament delegation.

The voyage includes 12 international activists, among them Thunberg and actor Liam Cunningham from Game of Thrones. Thunberg was supposed to travel earlier this month on a similar ship, but it was damaged before reaching Gaza.

Throughout the trip, Thunberg has shared videos showing her wrapped in a keffiyeh, holding a Palestinian flag, and swimming in the Mediterranean.

Madleen will reach Gaza’s shores with humanitarian aid and aims to draw attention to the ongoing crisis.

Thunberg said, “We are doing this because, no matter what odds we are against, we have to keep trying,” becoming emotional during her speech.

Some activists on board reported that the boat was followed by drones, likely operated by the Greek coast guard.

Gaza has faced a total blockade by Israel for over 90 days, with land, sea, and air restrictions since 2007. The aid on board includes milk, protein bars, baby formula, diapers, flour, rice, water filters, hygiene products, and medical supplies.

What is Israel’s plan?

On Wednesday, Israel said that it is “prepared” to “act accordingly” to prevent Greta Thunberg from reaching Gaza.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that they are closely monitoring the flotilla.

“For this case as well, we are prepared,” IDF spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin told the Times of London.

“We have gained experience in recent years, and we will act accordingly.”

Defrin did not provide details on what measures might be taken. However, last month, an earlier Freedom Flotilla Coalition ship was damaged just before arriving in Malta to pick up Thunberg for a similar mission. The group accused Israel of using drones to attack the vessel.

What’s happening in Gaza?

The United Nations said on Friday that the situation in Gaza is the worst since the conflict between Israel and Hamas militants began 19 months ago, even though limited aid has started to arrive in the area again.

Facing growing international pressure, Israel lifted an 11-week blockade on Gaza, allowing some UN-led aid operations to resume.

The Israeli government had said that the blockade aims to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attack that led to the war.

On that day, Hamas militants attacked southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting 251 hostages. Hamas still holds 58 hostages, with 23 believed to be alive.

In response, Israel launched a military offensive that has killed more than 52,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

Israeli bombardment and ground operations have devastated large parts of Gaza and left most of its population homeless.

The Freedom Flotilla group is one of many critics accusing Israel of genocide in its war on Gaza. Israel strongly rejects these claims, insisting its actions target Hamas militants, not civilians.

On Thursday, the White House said Israel had “signed off” on a new ceasefire plan proposed by US President Donald Trump, but Hamas said it could not accept the deal.

With inputs from agencies