A convoy of 20 vessels loaded with aid supplies and international activists left Barcelona on Monday, resuming its voyage toward Gaza after strong winds had briefly forced it back to port. The flotilla’s departure was marked by chants of “Free Palestine”, shared on its official Instagram account, where activists declared: “We’ve set sail. Our mission to break the Gaza siege continues.”
Dubbed the Global Sumud Flotilla—sumud meaning “steadfastness” in Arabic—the mission carries an array of high-profile figures. Among those on board are climate activist Greta Thunberg, Game of Thrones actor Liam Cunningham, American actress Susan Sarandon, South African leader Mandla Mandela, German human rights advocate Yasemin Acar, Spanish actor Eduard Fernández, and organisers Thiago Avila, Saif Abukeshek, and Muhammad Nadir Al-Nuri.
The convoy is expected to attempt landfall in Gaza by mid-September. It marks the third attempt by international campaigners to breach Israel’s blockade this summer, after two previous flotillas in June and July were intercepted by Israeli forces, who detained and deported all participants.
This latest effort unfolds against the backdrop of mounting global outrage over Israel’s ongoing genocide on Gaza, now entering its 23rd month. Just two weeks ago, the United Nations declared a famine in the enclave, warning that half a million people face “catastrophic” hunger conditions.
Since February’s total halt on aid, more than 340 Palestinians—including dozens of children—have died from starvation and severe malnutrition. Overall, Israel’s assault on Gaza has killed at least 63,459 Palestinians and left over 160,000 wounded, the vast majority of them women and children.The flotilla’s departure was marked by chants of “Free Palestine.”
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