Greta Thunberg’s flotilla attempting to reach Gaza was forced to turn back within hours of its departure yesterday.

On Sunday, the Global Sumud Flotilla, consisting of about 20 ships laden with tons of humanitarian supplies such as food and medicine, departed from Barcelona.

But after just a few hours in the Mediterranean, the expedition leaders decided to abandon the mission because of worsening weather conditions.

The group announced in a Monday statement, ‘We conducted a sea trial and decided to return to port to wait out the storm, due to hazardous weather conditions.’

‘This meant delaying our departure to avoid risking complications with the smaller boats.’

They said the mission was facing ‘over 30-knot winds’ and decided to turn back to ‘prioritise the safety and wellbeing’ of participants. 

The vessels that had to turn back included those with former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau, Barcelona councillor Jordi Coronas, and Swedish activist Thunberg on board. 

The captains of the boats are set to meet again on Monday to decide whether they will try to resume their journey later in the day. 

Experts have described the mission as the most significant attempt yet to challenge Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip by reaching the area by sea. 

Critics have said the blockade has contributed to the deaths of thousands of Palestinians, with hundreds reportedly dying of starvation in recent weeks. Israel has strongly denied that it is using widespread starvation as a strategy in Gaza.

Greta Thunberg’s flotilla attempting to reach Gaza has been forced to turn back within hours of its departure

The Global Sumud Flotilla, made up of around 20 vessels carrying tons of food, medicine, and other humanitarian aid, set sail from Barcelona at 4pm on Sunday

The captains of the boats are set to meet again on Monday to decide whether they will try to resume their journey later in the day

The flotilla aims not only to deliver food and medicine to civilians but also to pressure European governments to rethink their relationships with Israel

However, international organisations have said that Gaza has now been plunged into famine. 

The flotilla aims not only to deliver food and medicine to civilians but also to pressure European governments to rethink their relationships with Israel. 

This is the fourth attempt this year to bypass the blockade, following three previous missions that failed to reach Gaza.

In a statement, Global Sumud Flotilla said: ‘Facing over 30-knot winds and the unpredictable nature of the Mediterranean, we made this decision to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of all participants and to safeguard the success of our mission.’

Yesterday, it was reported that Israel was planning on throwing Thunberg in a terror cell. The planned sail comes just weeks after she was detained in international waters by the country.  

According to new reports, Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s Minister of National Security, was drawing up a plan to present to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that would see the activist detained in a terrorist prison. 

It was also claimed that as part of the plan, vessels would be seized and used to establish a ‘maritime force for police operations’.

Before Thunberg departed, she said: ‘This project is part of a global uprising of people standing up… when our governments fail to step up, the people will take their place, and their atrocities and their complicity in the genocide in Gaza right now… is not something that we can stand for.’

Yesterday, it was reported that Israel was planning on throwing Thunberg in a terror cell

Supporters cheer as one of the vessel departs on the mission, which has now been called off 

Thunberg and other activists on board their vessel in their attempt to reach Gaza in June 

During that voyage, one of the activists on board, Thiago Avila posted a voice note on Telegram saying: ‘We have been surrounded by many lights all at once;

The group reported that Israel used drones to spray an irritant on their flotilla before officials boarded and detained them during their mission in June

Her first attempt to go to Gaza in June was foiled by Israeli forces. Defence minister Israel Katz ordered the military to stop her from getting anywhere near Gaza.

He said at the time: ‘I have instructed the IDF [Israel Defense Forces] to act so that the hate flotilla … does not reach the shores of Gaza – and to take all necessary measures to that end.’

Katz added: ‘To the antisemitic Greta [Thunberg] and her friends who echo Hamas propaganda, I say clearly: You’d better turn back – because you will not reach Gaza. Israel will act against any attempt to break the blockade or to assist terrorist organisations – by sea, by air, and by land.’

During that voyage, one of the activists on board, Thiago Avila, posted a voice note on Telegram saying: ‘We have been surrounded by many lights all at once; they were circling our boat but in the end they kept going their own way.’

The group reported that Israel used drones to spray an irritant on their flotilla before officials boarded and detained them. They also said: ‘Communications are jammed, and disturbing sounds are being played over the radio.’

She and 11 other passengers were taken to Israel and given an ultimatum – either agree to be deported or get arrested. 

Thunberg agreed to be deported while some of the other passengers were held. Upon arrival at an airport in Paris, she hit out at Israel, accusing the nation of kidnapping her while she and her fellow passengers were in international waters. 

In May, another boat sailing as part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the group that organised the June mission, caught on fire off Malta. The activists later said that the vessel was attacked by drones from Israel.