A flotilla of ships has departed from Barcelona to the Gaza Strip with humanitarian aid and activists on board, including Greta Thunberg, in the largest attempt yet to break the long Israeli blockade of the Palestinian territory by sea.
This comes as Israel has stepped up its offensive on Gaza City, limiting the deliveries of food and basic supplies in the north of the Palestinian territory.
Food experts warned earlier this month that the city was in famine and that half a million people across the strip were facing catastrophic levels of hunger.
The Global Sumud Flotilla departed on Sunday carrying food, water and medicine.
Activists on board demanded safe passage to deliver the much-needed aid and the opening of a humanitarian sea corridor, according to a statement.
The almost 23-month war has killed more than 63,000 people, with at least 332 Palestinians dying of malnutrition, including 124 children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
The maritime convoy of about 20 boats and delegations from 44 countries is claimed to be the largest attempt to date to break the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip by sea, which has now lasted 18 years.
They will be joined by more ships from ports in Italy and Tunisia in the coming days, on the route from the western end of the Mediterranean to the Gaza Strip, organisers said.
Around 70 boats are expected to take part in the final leg of the journey, flotilla spokesperson Saif Abukeshek told Spanish public television after the departure.
The fleet could reach Gaza around September 14, he added.
"The story here is about Palestine. The story here is how people are being deliberately deprived of the very basic means to survive," Swedish activist Thunberg sasid at a news conference.
She is one of the most recognisable figures on the expedition, formed by hundreds of activists, politicians such as the former mayor of Barcelona, Ada Colau, and journalists.
It is not the first time Thunberg has attempted to reach Gaza waters this year.
She was deported by Israel in June when the ship she was travelling on with 11 other people, the Madleen, was stopped by the Israeli military.
