The first mission will depart from Spanish ports on August 31, followed by a second launch from Tunisian ports on September 4.

Activists from 44 countries gathered in Tunis to prepare for a coordinated maritime effort known as the Global Sumoud Flotilla, aimed at breaking the Israeli blockade on Gaza. 

Speaking at a press conference in the Tunisian capital, Haifa Al-Mansouri explained that four campaigns—the Maghreb Steadfastness Flotilla, the Global Movement Towards Gaza, the East Asian Initiative, and the Freedom Flotilla—have united for this initiative.

According to Al-Mansouri, the flotilla seeks to break the blockade, open a humanitarian sea corridor, and help end what organizers describe as an ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people. 

She announced that dozens of boats, both large and small, will set sail later this summer from ports around the world in what is being called the first globally coordinated, joint civilian flotilla to Gaza.

BREAKING: London, UK — An urgent press conference will be held on 28.07.2025 to announce the Global Sumud Flotilla's upcoming action-the largest civilian maritime mission to Gaza since the Israeli siege began in 2007.

STAY TUNED! pic.twitter.com/iqnEeyI11v

— Melanie Schweizer 🇩🇪 (@schweizermel) July 27, 2025

The first mission will depart from Spanish ports on August 31, followed by a second launch from Tunisian ports on September 4.

Saif Abu Kishk, another member of the flotilla, said more than 6,000 activists have already registered on the flotilla’s website. Participants will receive training at the departure ports, with simultaneous activities and encampments planned at those locations as well.

He emphasized that this effort is meant to increase pressure on governments to take action against the blockade through a large civilian presence at sea.

The most recent attempt to reach Gaza by sea was the Handala, which was intercepted by Israeli forces late last month and diverted to the port of Ashdod. 

It had reached 70 miles off Gaza’s coast, a distance greater than some previous efforts, including the Mavi Marmara in 2010, which was intercepted at 72 miles, the Madeleine at 110 miles, and the Al-Dameer, which was stopped 1,050 miles away.

Since October 7, 2023, the Israeli blockade has tightened significantly. On March 2, all crossings for humanitarian, medical, and relief aid were closed, contributing to a famine that has reached catastrophic levels. The starvation policy has so far claimed the lives of at least 159 Palestinians, including 90 children.

(PC, AJA)