Overview
- About 20 vessels departed Sunday and returned within hours after 30-knot winds, with safety concerns cited by the Global Sumud Flotilla.
- The convoy says it is carrying food, water and medicine and seeks a humanitarian sea corridor, with delegations from 44 countries including Greta Thunberg, Ada Colau and Liam Cunningham.
- Organizers had planned to link up with additional boats from Italy, Greece and Tunisia, with a mid-September arrival previously projected if sailing restarts.
- Israel intercepted earlier attempts in June and July, detaining and deporting activists, and Israeli media reported officials are weighing tougher detention and seizure measures for any renewed effort.
- The pause comes as UN-backed analysts confirm famine conditions in parts of Gaza and Spain pledges consular protection for its citizens taking part.