Tunis: A convoy of around 20 boats carrying humanitarian aid and pro-Palestinian activists, including prominent climate activist Greta Thunberg, set sail from Tunisia on Monday with the aim of breaking Israel’s blockade of Gaza. The flotilla, which faced delays and drone attacks, seeks to establish a humanitarian corridor to the Palestinian enclave and convey a message of global support.

According to France24.com, the flotilla embarked on its journey after transferring to the northern port of Bizerte following a tumultuous stay in Sidi Bou Said near Tunis. The Global Sumud Flotilla reported that two of its boats were targeted by drone attacks on consecutive nights last week. In response to these incidents, Tunisian authorities condemned what they described as a “premeditated aggression” and announced an investigation.

Greta Thunberg expressed the flotilla’s intent to show solidarity with the people of Gaza, stating, “We are also trying to send a message to the people of Gaza that the world has not forgotten about you.” Thunberg emphasized the necessity of such actions in the face of governmental inaction, asserting, “When our governments are failing to step up then we have no choice but to take matters into our own hands.”

The departure of the flotilla had been delayed multiple times due to security concerns, preparation issues with some of the boats, and weather conditions. The flotilla, which includes vessels that departed from Corsica, Sicily, and Greece in recent days, originally planned to reach Gaza by mid-September, following two previous attempts that were blocked by Israel in June and July.