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The aid fleet, tied up towards Gaza, was forced to return to the coast a few hours after leaving Barcelona on Sunday.
The global SUMUD FLOTILLA’s first convoy, set to involve dozens of boats and participants from 44 countries, returned to the port after facing winds of 56 kilometers (35 mph) at night.
About 20 boats originally departed from Barcelona on Sunday, with thousands of pro-Palestinian supporters gathering at the city’s old port docks to cheer them up.
They were scheduled to join other ships from Mediterranean ports, including Tunis, in the coming days.
Organizers added that the decision to return to Spain was taken to “prioritize safety” and that some small vessels could have been at risk in adverse weather conditions.
Participants are mounted on a fleet called the largest attempt to break Israeli sea blockades on Palestinian territory, including Swedish climate activist Greta Samberg and former mayor of Barcelona, Ada Kollow.
He also received support from Academy Award-winning actress Susan Sarandon and Game of Thrones actor Liam Cunningham.
It remains unclear when the maritime convoys will be able to depart from Barcelona amid weather warnings due to rainfall and strong storms in Spain.
Israeli forces could try and stop the boats from approaching Gaza, as they have done in the past.
Flotilla’s first attempt to sail for Gaza came after food experts warned last month that the territory was on the grip of hunger.
Gaza’s health ministry says 340 Palestinians in Gaza, including 124 children, have previously died of malnutrition.
In total, more than 63,000 Palestinians were killed in Gaza in a nearly 23-month war.
Additional sources •AP
