Global Sumud Flotilla Sets Sail from Barcelona to Gaza Amid Humanitarian Crisis
The Global Sumud Flotilla departed from Barcelona on August 31, 2025, carrying over 300 tons of humanitarian supplies and several hundred activists, aiming to challenge the Israeli blockade on Gaza and draw attention to the humanitarian crisis in the region, reports 24brussels.
Around 20 vessels, ranging from modest sailboats to larger industrial ships, left the Moll de la Fusta docks, buoyed by the cheers of approximately 5,000 supporters waving Palestinian flags. The convoy includes 300 activists, humanitarian workers, and medical personnel committed to breaking Gaza’s isolation.
Characterized by organizers as the largest civilian-led maritime mission to Gaza, the flotilla is part of a broader initiative involving around 50 boats launched from various European ports, including Genoa, Italy, and locations in Tunisia, Greece, and Sicily.
This coordinated international campaign aims to underscore the urgent humanitarian needs in Gaza and highlight the refusal of its population to remain forgotten amid a backdrop of global inaction. Events leading up to the flotilla’s departure included solidarity concerts, rallies, and volunteer efforts that helped collect essential goods like food, water, and medical supplies.
According to Stefano Rebora, founder of the Italian NGO Music For Peace, organizers originally aimed to collect 40 tons in four days but were overwhelmed by support, amassing 300 tons in just five days, forcing a temporary halt in collections.
Despite the enthusiasm, participants acknowledge potential opposition from Israeli authorities, who have previously intercepted humanitarian efforts at sea through armed interventions. Activists expressed their awareness of the risks involved. “The Zionist entity will spy on us, threaten us, denigrate us, and try to obstruct the journey by any means, including armed assault and kidnapping in international waters,” they cautioned, emphasizing the gravity of their mission.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated drastically since May 2025, when Israel intensified its blockade, depriving the region of vital resources. Official reports indicate at least 329 deaths from starvation, including 124 children, with over half a million individuals at risk of dying from malnutrition.
The flotilla not only intends to deliver much-needed aid but also seeks to raise international awareness regarding the dire conditions in Gaza. Palestinian activist Saif Abukeshek, serving as a spokesperson for the flotilla, condemned Israeli actions as a calculated ethnic cleansing. “Palestinians are being starved to death by a government purposefully inflicting starvation,” he stated. “The regime bombs hospitals, schools, and families daily with the intention to kill as many Palestinians as possible.”
As the flotilla embarks, significant support rallies continue across cities such as Genoa, where 40,000 people marched in solidarity, accompanying aid shipments to embarkation sites. The convoy is anticipated to reach Gaza around mid-September, contingent upon safe passage through contested waters.
The Global Sumud Flotilla exemplifies the unyielding resolve of international activists striving to break down both physical and political barriers in support of the Palestinian people’s right to life and dignity. In an era marked by governmental silence or complicity, this mission serves as a compelling symbol of transnational solidarity and resistance against what organizers describe as a campaign of extermination.
This humanitarian endeavor emphasizes the critical need for the international community to act swiftly, addressing the crisis in Gaza before more lives are irrevocably lost.
