“I’m not scared of Israel,” declares Greta Thunberg on Gaza-bound flotilla

Climate activist Greta Thunberg, currently sailing aboard the international Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) aiming to break the 18-year naval blockade of Gaza, publicly declared her defiance, stating, "I'm not scared of Israel."

The Swedish activist, one of over 500 volunteers from 46 countries attempting to deliver a symbolic amount of medical supplies and food to the Gaza Strip, framed her mission not as a fear of military confrontation but as a challenge to global apathy.

"I'm scared of a world that has seemingly lost all sense of humanity," Thunberg stated in a video message from the convoy.

She characterized the flotilla as a "last resort" necessary because "all other means fail," adding that the mission's goal is to show "that there is still some humanity left."

Maritime Stand-Off

The GSF, composed of approximately 52 vessels, is navigating the Mediterranean toward Gaza despite escalating tensions and reported attacks.

Organizers have reported that their boats have been targeted by drones in international waters south of Greece, detailing “at least 13 explosions” and the dropping of “explosions, chemicals and unidentified objects.”

Thunberg labeled these incidents as nothing more than a “scare tactic” intended to “intimidate us and to silence and scare those who are standing in solidarity with Palestine.”

She insisted the activists remain "very, very determined to continue our mission."

The attacks have prompted European powers to intervene, with both Italy and Spain deploying naval frigates to the area to provide assistance and possible rescues for their citizens.

'Israeli' claims 

The mission has been dismissed by the ‘Israeli’ Foreign Ministry, which has accused the organizers of being linked to Hamas and of pursuing a "jihadist initiative serving the terror group's agenda."

‘Israel’ claims that the naval blockade is a lawful security measure against threats and has warned that it will not permit the vessels to breach the blockade or enter an "active combat zone."

As an alternative, ‘Israel’ has called on the flotilla to dock at the port of Ashkelon, where the aid could be unloaded and transferred into Gaza in a coordinated manner.

However, GSF organizers have rejected this, calling it "manipulation" and asserting that they cannot trust an occupying power to deliver the aid.

Thunberg's current involvement follows her detention earlier this year aboard a previous pro-Palestine Freedom Flotilla mission, the Madleen, which was intercepted by ‘Israeli’ naval forces in international waters.

Following that incident, she dismissed the conditions of her brief detention as "absolutely nothing compared to what people are going through in Palestine and especially Gaza."