Above photo: Anadolu Agency.
Israeli authorities are reportedly preparing to jail Greta Thunberg and other activists in prison cells ‘for terrorists’.
If they are seized at sea.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, dubbed the largest in history, was forced back to Barcelona on 1 September after storms struck Catalonia, with organizers saying the decision was taken to prioritize safety as winds reached over 56 kilometers per hour.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE GLOBAL SUMUD FLOTILLA MISSION DEPARTURE DELAYED TO PRIORITIZE SAFETY AMID STRONG MEDITERRANEAN WINDS pic.twitter.com/A4YDahLiJh
— Global Sumud Flotilla (@GlobalSumudF) September 1, 2025
The convoy is comprised of around 20 boats with participants from 44 countries and is reportedly carrying over 300 tons of aid to help relieve the starving people of Gaza, with additional vessels expected to join the expedition in Tunis and Sicily.
The fleet departed Barcelona a day earlier under the cheers of thousands of supporters who gathered at the departure point, in an effort to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza, but turned back fearing that the smaller vessels could not withstand the storm.
Spain’s weather agency AEMET had warned of heavy rain and strong storms across Catalonia and other regions, leaving the timing of a new departure uncertain.
Among those on board are Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau. The initiative was also vocally supported by Academy Award winner Susan Sarandon and actor Liam Cunningham, known for his role in Game of Thrones.
The mission comes as Israel intensifies its assault on Gaza City and further restricts access to food and essentials in the north of the territory.
Food experts had officially declared famine in Gaza in early August, with half a million Palestinians facing catastrophic levels of hunger. Only a fraction of the required aid is allowed to enter the strip, with most of it deliberately kept by the Israel just outside the passages.
Israeli occupation forces are expected to attempt to block the convoy from reaching Gaza, as they have done in previous missions, once in early June, and again in late July.
Israel Hayom reported that National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has drawn up plans to hold Greta Thunberg and other activists in prison cells “for terrorists” if they are detained at sea, telling associates the aim is to make them “sorry” for attempting to reach Gaza.
Ktzi’ot and Damon prisons were named as possible destinations for the activists’ detention, with Damon long denounced for its terrible treatment of Palestinian women.
