Environmental activist Greta Thunberg will today launch a second Gaza-bound ‘Freedom Flotilla’, just weeks after she was detained in international waters by Israel.
Thunberg, 22, will launch the Global Sumud Flotilla from Barcelona with the aim of delivering aid to the people of Gaza, who have been pushed into famine by Israel’s retaliatory incursion into the Strip.
Her first attempt to reach Gaza in June after setting off from Italy was thwarted by Israeli forces, who boarded the vessel in international waters and detained her.
She and 11 passengers were taken to Israel, and given the choice to be deported or arrested.
Thunberg and three others agreed to be removed from Israel, while the others were further held.
She said in a promotional video for her latest attempt to reach Gaza: ‘It should not have to be up to us. A mission like this should not have to exist.
‘It is the responsibility of countries, of our governments and elected officials to act to try to uphold international law, to prevent war crimes, to prevent genocide.
‘That is their legal duty to do. And they are failing to do so, thereby betraying Palestinians but also all of humanity.’
The latest attempt will see her and an unknown number of people attempt to reach Gaza, but a larger number of activists are expected.
Swedish activist Greta Thunberg waves while departing on the Global Sumud Flotilla, a humanitarian expedition to Gaza, at the port of Barcelona, Spain August 31, 2025
Activists wave Palestinian flags as they depart on the Global Sumud Flotilla, a humanitarian expedition to Gaza, at the port of Barcelona, Spain August 31, 2025
People gesture on the day of the departure of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a humanitarian expedition to Gaza, at the port of Barcelona, Spain August 31, 2025
Before setting off, she defended her actions against accusations of anti-Semetism, telling Sky News this weekend: ‘It is not antisemitic to say that we should not be bombing people, that one should not be living in occupation, that everyone should have the right to live in freedom and dignity, no matter who you are.’
The blockade has been in place since 2007 and boats attempting to cross in the past have been blocked by Israel.
In 2010 a Gaza-bound aid flotilla was raided by Israeli special forces, killing eight Turkish activists and an American-Turkish teenager.
Despite the dangers, Thunberg said she was more concerned by the ‘silence of the world’ about what is happening in the region.
She added: ‘I’m terrified to see that we seem to have lost all the humanity that we have, and there seems to be no compassion left in the world amongst the vast majority of people who are able to sit on the couch and watch the genocide unfold that I am terrified for.’
Thunberg claimed Israel’s continuation of the blockade was a violation of international law.
The newest Freedom Flotilla is unlikely to be more successful on its newest voyage, with Israeli officials prepared to uphold the blockade.
In a statement, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said: ‘The IDF enforces the security naval blockade on the Gaza Strip and is prepared for a wide range of scenarios, which it will act upon in accordance with the directives of the political echelon.’
