Latest news with #flotilla
Al Bawaba
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Al Bawaba
Greta Thunberg to join next mass international flotilla to Gaza
ALBAWABA - According to a report by Quds News Network, Swedish human rights activist Greta Thunberg has announced that she will be joining the next mass international flotilla, which aims to break the blockade in Gaza amid rising famine. The flotilla will consist of 50 ships with activists from a total of 44 countries and will set sail from Spain on August 31 and from Tunisia on September 4. Swedish activist Greta Thunberg announced that she will join an international flotilla aiming to break the blockade on Gaza. The flotilla, made up of over 50 ships and activists from 44 countries, is set to depart from Spain on August 31 and from Tunisia on September 4. — Quds News Network (@QudsNen) August 12, 2025 This marks Thunberg's second journey to Gaza on a boat. In June 2025, Greta Thunberg joined Freedom Flotilla's "Madleen" boat alongside other fellow human rights activists, including French MEP Rima Hassan, Thiago Avila, Baptiste Andre, and more, who, upon nearly reaching Gaza's shores, were detained by Israeli officers and sent back home. Similar efforts from fellow pro-Palestine activists were made after setting sail on board the Freedom Flotilla's "Handala" boat in July 2025. The movement hopes to end the ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, and break the siege to let in humanitarian aid into the Strip for the starving Palestinians. The ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza has resulted in the killing of more than 61,000 Palestinians and has left over 153,000 injured. According to the UN World Food Programme (WFP), over 500,000 Gazans are on the brink of famine after going without food for days. 222 Palestinians, including 101 children, have died from starvation, with the numbers rising every day.
Free Malaysia Today
a day ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Greta Thunberg, activists plan new flotilla to Gaza
Swedish activist Greta Thunberg said the flotilla will set sail for Gaza on Aug 31. (TT/EPA Images pic) STOCKHOLM : Greta Thunberg said she and a Palestinian activist group plan to sail a new flotilla loaded with humanitarian aid to Gaza to break the 'illegal Israeli siege'. Two other attempts by activists to deliver aid by ship to Gaza, in June and July, were blocked by Israel. Troops boarded their vessels and detained the activists before expelling them. 'On August 31st we are launching the biggest attempt ever to break the illegal Israeli siege over Gaza with dozens of boats sailing from Spain,' the Swedish campaigner wrote on Instagram late yesterday. 'We will meet dozens more on September 4th sailing from Tunisia and other ports,' she said. The group will mobilise activists from 44 countries for the initiative dubbed 'Global Sumud Flotilla', which will also include simultaneous demonstrations. Humanitarian activists, doctors and artistes – including actors Susan Sarandon of the US, Gustaf Skarsgard of Sweden and Liam Cunningham of Ireland – are due to take part. The exact number of ships sailing to Gaza this time was not specified. The 'Global Sumud Flotilla' describes itself on its website as an 'independent' organisation not affiliated with any government or political party. Israel's 22-month offensive has killed at least 61,430 Palestinians, according to Gaza's health ministry, figures the United Nations says are reliable. Hamas's 2023 attack on Israel, which triggered the war, resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.
Free Malaysia Today
5 days ago
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Relatives of Israeli hostages set off on Gaza flotilla
Relatives carried yellow flags and posters of the hostages as they made their way to Gaza. (AP pic) ASHKELON : Relatives of Israeli hostages set sail today in a flotilla to approach the Gaza Strip, according to an AFP journalist aboard one vessel, with organisers saying they hoped to 'get as close as possible to their loved ones'. More than 20 people boarded several boats that departed from the coastal city of Ashkelon carrying yellow flags and posters bearing the images of the hostages, as they shouted their names. Speaking in English through a megaphone, Yehuda Cohen, whose son Nimrod is being held captive in Gaza, shouted: 'Mayday, mayday, mayday. We need all international assistance to rescue the 50 hostages who are nearly two years held by the hand of Hamas.' 'Please, we need international help,' Cohen added. Of the 251 people kidnapped on Oct 7, 2023, by Hamas and its allies, 49 remain hostages in Gaza, of whom 27 have been declared dead by the army.
Al Arabiya
6 days ago
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Relatives of Israeli hostages set off on Gaza flotilla: Reports
Relatives of Israeli hostages set sail on Thursday in a flotilla toward the Gaza Strip, according to an AFP journalist aboard one vessel, with organizers saying they hoped to 'get as close as possible to their loved ones.' More than 20 people boarded several boats that departed from the coastal city of Ashkelon, carrying yellow flags and posters bearing the images of the hostages as they shouted their names. Speaking in English through a megaphone, Yehuda Cohen — whose son, Nimrod, is being held captive in Gaza — shouted: 'Mayday, mayday, mayday. We need all international assistance to rescue the 50 hostages who are nearly two years held by the hand of Hamas.' 'Please, we need international help,' Cohen added. Of the 251 people kidnapped on October 7, 2023, by Hamas and its allies, 49 remain hostages in Gaza, of whom 27 have been declared dead by the army.
Yahoo
28-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Israeli naval forces seize Gaza-bound aid flotilla Handala
According to Channel 12, those on the flotilla reported seeing a drone circling above them as vessels approached the ship. The Israeli Navy intercepted the Handala flotilla while approaching the Gaza Strip, the IDF and Foreign Ministry announced on Saturday night. The flotilla was en route to Israel's shores with all its passengers on board. According to Channel 12, those aboard the flotilla reported seeing a drone circling above them as vessels approached the ship. Legal aid group Adalah - The Legal Center for Arab Minority Rights in Israel sent a letter to authorities on Sunday morning "demanding the whereabouts" of the activists on the Handala, and emphasizing their right to legal counsel. On Saturday evening, Huwaida Araf, an activist on board, said in an update that "two vessels, probably the IDF, are very close to Handala. Attempts were made to contact the Israeli Navy - but no response was received." As a precaution, the ship reportedly changed its course to go south, towards Egypt. IDF soldiers took control of the Handala flotilla that was making its way to Gaza. (CREDIT: N12) Handala approaching Gaza Activists aboard the Handala said on Saturday that they are approaching the coast of the Gaza Strip and have already passed the point where the Madleen flotilla was stopped last month. They later claimed an unidentified boat was approaching the ship and that the participants were "preparing for a takeover," Army Radio reported. The ship set sail from Italy earlier this week. 'The world is watching,' the activists said. The flotilla from last month made headlines, highlighting the presence of pro-Palestinian activist Greta Thunberg. The Israel Navy was preparing to intercept the vessel, which, as of Saturday afternoon, was approximately 200 kilometers off the coast of Gaza. 'The flotilla is a collective act of conscience,' said Huwaida Arraf, a human rights attorney, co-founder of the International Solidarity Movement, and a member of the steering committee for the 'Freedom Flotilla.' "The boat is named after the well-known Palestinian cartoon character 'Handala,' described as 'a barefoot refugee child, seeker of justice, who vowed not to turn his back until Palestine is free.' Sarah Ben Nun contributed to this report. Solve the daily Crossword
