The ships set sail on Sunday with destination the Gaza Strip. On board are, among others, the environmental activist Greta Thunberg and the newly-minted political savage Lorena Delgado Varas.

But on Monday they returned to the Catalan capital after the Spanish weather agency AEMET warned of storms in the region. The smaller boats in the convoy might not have been able to withstand such severe weather, the so-called Global Sumud Flotilla announced.

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

It is not clear when the convoy intends to depart again.

“Major initiative”

The Global Sumud Flotilla aims to “break the illegal siege” of the Gaza Strip by opening a humanitarian corridor by sea. Delegations from 40 countries are participating in the initiative.

– It shouldn't be up to us, said world-famous activist Thunberg to the media before leaving.

– It is the responsibility of countries, our governments and elected representatives, 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 is different from the previous one.

– This is a larger initiative with countries from all over the world and significantly more boats. In addition, it is a very large international movement that is pushing to break the blockade, she has previously told The Express.

Caught last time

Also in June, the climate activist sailed towards Gaza in a ship loaded with emergency aid. Then the ship was stopped by Israeli forces as it approached Gaza. Thunberg was deported and had to fly home to Sweden.

The Israeli military has said this time that it is prepared for"a variety of scenarios."