The almost 20 months of war has torn Gaza apart, often displacing residents multiple times and killing more than 54,000 people, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry. A U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreed in January collapsed in March as Israel enforced a blockade on all humanitarian aid into the strip.

Activist Greta Thunberg said in a video released on Wednesday (June 4) the story the world needs to focus on is what she called Israel's "siege and oppression" of Gaza, rather than her voyage with a humanitarian group to deliver aid to the enclave.

Swedish activist Greta Thunberg sets sail for Gaza with the Freedom Flotilla Coalition under Palestinian flag, prompting Israel's military to confirm they are monitoring the vessel's approach.