Nearly 1,000 Activists From Around The World Are Sailing All The Way To Gaza Again In The Largest Flotilla In History
Despite the risk of Israel's interception and attacks, the activists are determined to reach Gaza this time and break Israel’s blockade.
Nearly 1,000 activists from around the world are sailing all the way to Gaza again in the largest flotilla in history, the Global Sumud Flotilla, to break Israel’s blockade on the Strip.
Since 2007, Israel has placed Gaza under an illegal blockade, controlling what enters and exits the territory by sea, air and land.
The blockade has caused severe shortages of food, medicine and basic supplies, leading to a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, which had been worsened by Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza.
"Sumud" is the Arabic word for steadfastness or resilience.
The Global Sumud Flotilla formed in July 2025, when several activist groups merged into a single coordinated mission.
In September 2025, it set sail from Barcelona with more than 40 boats and about 462 people, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, but Israel intercepted several flotilla boats about 70 nautical miles off the Gaza coast and detained and deported all 462 activists.
Now the flotilla is back.
Around 300 activists in about 39 boats set sail from Barcelona, Spain, on Sunday, April 12, heading toward Gaza in an attempt to break Israel's blockade or the second time in seven months.
Other boats are expected to join along the way to make the total number of boats around 70 boats carrying up to 1,000 volunteers, including activists, doctors and journalists, from all around the world, nearly doubling the size of the previous mission.
The boats carry aid, medical supplies and building materials that Israel is restricting.
Children in Barcelona also filled backpacks for children in Gaza with school supplies, toys and letters.
The route will include stops in Syracuse, Italy, and Lerapetra, Greece, en route to Gaza.
Flotilla spokesperson Pablo Castilla said the initiative aims to condemn international complicity in Israel's actions in Gaza, demand accountability, and establish a humanitarian corridor by sea and land.
He said international attention on Gaza has declined due to the US and Israel’s war on Iran and Lebanon, adding that Israel has intensified its blockade, restricted aid entry, expanded settlements and accelerated land seizure, Middle East Monitor reported.
Despite the risk of Israel's interception and attacks, the activists are determined to reach Gaza this time and break Israel’s blockade.
Cherry Mohamed
Kassy Cho
Kassy Cho
