A flotilla of boats headed for Gaza carrying 350 pro-Palestinian activists - including climate change campaigner Greta Thunberg - has departed from Barcelona.
Around 20 vessels displaying Palestinian flags left the Spanish port at 19:00 local time on Monday, stocked with medical and food supplies.
The flotilla first attempted to set sail on Sunday but had to return to port due to stormy weather.
The aim of the mission is to 'break Israel's illegal siege on Gaza', the organisers stated, despite a previous attempt to reach Gaza by sea being intercepted by Israeli forces.
The Global Sumud Flotilla Mission plans to launch in two waves - the first from Barcelona and the second from Tunis on 4 September.
Activists hope the boats will converge in the Mediterranean before sailing towards Gaza, with an estimated travel time of seven to eight days.
'We are sailing again to break the siege and open up a humanitarian corridor,' Thunberg said in a video message.
Speaking at the flotilla's departure, punk singer Bob Vylan hailed the activists as 'brave individuals' undertaking a mission that should have been addressed by governments long ago.
Previous attempts to deliver aid to Gaza have faced criticism, with Israeli authorities labeling such initiatives as publicity stunts. In March, a blockade on goods entering Gaza was implemented, with limited goods allowed back in by late May following international pressure. Notably, a UN-backed body has declared that parts of Gaza are experiencing famine.
The situation intensified earlier this year when a yacht carrying Thunberg and other activists was intercepted by Israeli forces during a previous attempt to reach Gaza. The activists were taken to Ashdod and subsequently deported.
Past events have included significant controversies, such as the 2010 incident where Israeli commandos killed ten individuals aboard the Mavi Marmara, which sought to deliver aid to Gaza.
