Greta Thunberg to sail to Gaza on aid ship as 75% population faces food shortage
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg is preparing to sail to Gaza on Sunday as part of a humanitarian mission, according to a report by the New York Post.
The 22-year-old from Sweden will travel on board the 'Madleen,' a ship carrying aid for people in war-hit Gaza. The trip is organised by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), which aims to challenge the Israeli blockade on the region.
Speaking about the mission, Thunberg said, 'The world cannot be silent bystanders. This silence and passivity that we are seeing from most of the world is deadly. We are seeing a systematic starvation of 2 million people. Every single one of us has a moral obligation to do everything we can to fight for a free Palestine.'
The World Health Organisation has warned that people in Gaza face the risk of famine, with around 75 per cent of the population in serious need of food.
The FFC has tried to send aid by sea before. A previous ship, the 'Conscience,' was hit by drones in international waters on 2 May, near Malta. The group said Israel was behind the attack, but Israel has not confirmed or denied it.
Thunberg will be joined by other well-known figures, including actor Liam Cunningham and European Parliament member Rima Hassan.
However, the trip has drawn criticism, especially online and from commentators in Australia. On Sky News Australia, host Danica De Giorgio called Thunberg the 'big loser of the week.'
The mission takes place as international talks continue over a possible ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Hamas is considering a US-backed proposal that could lead to a 60-day truce and the release of some hostages.
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