Greta Thunberg's Gaza Convoy Returns to Barcelona

A convoy to Gaza, with Greta Thunberg among the participants, has returned to Barcelona following Spanish warnings of severe weather.

The ships set sail on Sunday with the destination of the Gaza Strip. Onboard were environmental activist Greta Thunberg and the newly independent politician Lorena Delgado Varas.

However, by Monday, they had returned to the Catalonian capital after the Spanish weather agency AEMET warned of storms in the region. The smaller boats in the convoy might not have withstood such harsh weather, according to the so-called Global Sumud Flotilla.

"We conducted exercises at sea and then returned to port to let the storm pass," the action group wrote on X.

It is unclear when the convoy plans to set sail again.

"Larger Initiative"

The purpose of the Global Sumud Flotilla is to "break the illegal blockade" of the Gaza Strip by opening a humanitarian sea corridor. Delegations from 40 countries are participating in the initiative.

"It shouldn't be up to us," said the world-renowned activist Thunberg before departure to the media.

"It is the responsibility of countries, our governments, and elected officials to act to uphold international law, prevent war crimes, and genocide. It is their legal duty, and they are failing."

According to Lorena Delgado Varas, this initiative differs from previous ones.

"This is a larger initiative with countries from all over the world and significantly more boats. Additionally, it is a very large international movement pushing to break the blockade," she previously told Expressen.

Arrested Last Time

In June, the climate activist also sailed towards Gaza on a ship loaded with emergency aid. The vessel was stopped by Israeli forces as it approached Gaza. Thunberg was deported and had to fly back to Sweden.

The Israeli military has stated this time that they are prepared for "a variety of scenarios."