In brief
Greta Thunberg and 350 activists docked in Tunisia with an aid flotilla aiming to deliver supplies to Gaza. Thunberg criticized the ongoing humanitarian crisis, deeming it a 'genocide' while Israel disputed these claims. The flotilla's journey, complicated by previous interceptions by Israeli forces, emphasizes the urgent need for humanitarian assistance in the region.
Huge crowds gathered at Tunisia's port on Sunday to welcome Greta Thunberg as her aid flotilla, bound for Gaza, docked. The Swedish climate activist is travelling with 350 pro-Palestinian activists on boats stocked with aid to deliver to Palestinians in Gaza.
Pictures from the Sidi Bou Said port show hordes of people surrounding the 22-year-old as she addressed the crowd. We all know why we are here, she said. Just across the water, there's a genocide going on, a mass starvation by Israel's murder machine. Israel has denied allegations of starvation in Gaza, attributing hunger to Hamas and failures of aid agencies.
Last month, a UN-backed body confirmed famine in the territory, highlighting systematic obstructions of aid by Israel. French-Palestinian Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan acknowledged the public's support for Palestinians, stating, The Palestinian cause is not in the hands of governments today. It is in the hearts of peoples everywhere.
Organisers of the flotilla aim to break Israel's blockade on Gaza, although previous attempts have faced challenges, including interception by Israeli forces. This latest journey commenced from Barcelona with plans to pause in Tunisia for supplies before heading to Gaza. Israeli authorities have characterized past aid efforts led by Thunberg as publicity stunts, claiming no genuine humanitarian assistance was offered.
