Greta Thunberg has pushed back on criticism that a Gaza-bound flotilla she is a part of is a publicity stunt, saying no one would imperil themselves purely for attention.

The Swedish activist is aboard one of 52 boats that form the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), which is travelling toward Gaza with the aim of delivering humanitarian aid to Palestinians there.

Israeli authorities have ridiculed the GSF flotilla and similar seaborne attempts to reach the territory, calling the boat Thunberg travelled on in June a 'selfie yacht'.

Asked about these criticisms of the flotilla by the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg, the activist said: 'I don't think anyone would risk their life for a publicity stunt.'

Speaking while sailing off the Greek coast, she reiterated that the flotilla was not just a humanitarian mission but also aimed at sending a message to people in Gaza that 'when our governments fail to step up, the people will step up.'

International aid agencies have been attempting to get food and medicine into the Palestinian territory but note Israel is restricting the flow of supplies. Israel claims it is attempting to stop those supplies from falling into the hands of Hamas and has approved a US-backed aid agency.

Last month, a UN-backed body confirmed that there was famine in Gaza, with the UN's humanitarian chief attributing it to Israel's 'systematic obstruction' of aid. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has labeled this an 'outright lie.'

Thunberg stated that the flotilla's purpose was to 'break Israel's illegal and inhumane siege on Gaza by sea,' as the Israeli military has long controlled the waters that border Gaza.

Earlier this month, the flotilla was attacked by drones which dropped unidentified objects onto boats outside the Tunisian port of Sidi Bou Said. A subsequent suspected drone attack off the coast of Crete prompted Spain and Italy to deploy naval ships to assist the flotilla.

In addressing these incidents, Thunberg accused Israeli officials of making 'baseless threats' that violate international law, questioning: 'Why would they attack a peaceful humanitarian mission aiming to bring humanitarian aid to a starving population?'

Israel has not commented on the drone attacks but has previously stated it would not allow the flotilla to reach its destination.

Thunberg and 11 other activists were detained by Israeli authorities in June after they intercepted another boat heading for Gaza with a minimal amount of aid in the Mediterranean. She was held in Tel Aviv for a day before being deported to France and has accused Israel of illegally kidnapping her and the activists while they were in international waters, a claim Israel denies, saying it was preventing a breach of the maritime blockade around Gaza.

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