A new humanitarian mission, the 'Global Sumud Flotilla,' is preparing to sail to Gaza with nearly 100 boats and approximately 1,000 participants. The initiative aims to deliver aid and bypass Israeli controls, posing a significant challenge amid ongoing Middle East conflicts.
Vessels are set to depart from Augusta, Sicily, on Saturday, joined by others from Barcelona, Marseille, Greece, and Türkiye. Organizers describe this as the largest civilian maritime mission for Palestine ever, aiming to break the 'illegal siege' on Gaza.
This follows a previous mission in October 2025, where nearly 50 vessels were intercepted in international waters by the Israeli navy. Activists, including Greta Thunberg, were detained but later released. Israel stated the flotilla was a 'political provocation' and claimed it was financed by Hamas, accusations the Global Sumud Flotilla organization denies.
Organizers acknowledge the risks, with one activist noting, 'We know what we are going against.' They believe the size of the current flotilla could expose limitations in Israel's interception capabilities.
Ahead of the launch, a congress in Brussels, attended by European Parliament members and UN officials, produced the 'Brussels Declaration,' calling for a UN-verified humanitarian maritime corridor to Gaza.