The Flotilla Fleet: Hope Sets Sail

posted on: Sep 3, 2025

By Rena Elhessen/Arab America Contributing Writer

As of August 31, the Global Sumud Flotilla has officially set off from Barcelona. This movement has gained the title of the largest civilian-led flotilla in history, comprising over 50 ships united by a single mission: to break the siege on Gaza. Ships from 44 countries will depart from Mediterranean ports in the region to deliver urgent humanitarian aid, hopefully reaching Gaza by mid-September.

The Flotilla

The ongoing siege on Gaza has prevented the entrance of desperately-needed aid. As the people of Gaza are subjected to a man-made famine, humanity refuses to stand by and watch. The concept of a flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza remains a mission for the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. After two intercepted missions, they have been joined by three other organizations, bolstering their media presence and chances of reaching Gaza.

To create a humanitarian corridor, permitting the entrance of aid into the region, participants from the Maghreb Sumud Flotilla, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, Global Movement to Gaza, and the Sumud Nusantara have united. This collaborative effort, the Global Sumud Flotilla, hopes to achieve its goal through sheer numbers.

The Global Sumud Flotilla sets off with the same mission. The first convoy has set sail from Barcelona with the intention of meeting up in Tunisia with a second wave on September 4. Countries from six continents will be taking part in the flotilla.

The Groups Participating

This mission is larger than the previous, involving more organization and groups all dedicated to the same cause: the preservation of humanity and the delivery of aid.

• Global Movement to Gaza (GMTG)– Formerly known as Global March to Gaza. This grassroots movement organizes solidarity actions to break the siege of Gaza. 
• Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC)– The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) has been trying to break the blockade of the Gaza Strip for 17 years. They have been running flotillas for years. Their most recent attempts include the Madleen and Handala, which were both intercepted on their missions. 
• Maghreb Sumud Flotilla- Formerly known as the Sumud Convoy. This North Africa-based initiative carries out solidarity missions to deliver aid and support to Palestinian communities. 
• Sumud Nusantara- This people-led convoy from Malaysia and eight other countries in the region aims to break the blockade and foster solidarity among Global South nations.

Who is involved?

The Global Sumud Flotilla is more than just a few ships. The sheer numbers of this movement span over 44 countries. Volunteers include a range of people, organisers, humanitarians, doctors, artists, clergy, lawyers, and seafarers. Each volunteer aboard the flotilla is united by a belief in human dignity and the aim of ending the siege and famine in Gaza. 

The steering committee of the Flotilla includes:

• Swedish activist Greta Thunberg
• Greek historian Kleoniki Alexopoulou
• German human rights activist Yasemin Acar
• Brazilian socio-environmentalist Thiago Avila
• German political scientists and lawyer Melanie Schweizer
• Irish social scientist Karen Moynihan
• Italian physicist Maria Elena Delia
• Palestinian activist Saif Abukeshek
• Malaysian humanitarian leader Muhammad Nadir Al-Nuri
• Algerian political activist and parliamentary consultant Marouan Ben Guettaia
• Political activist Wael Nawar
• Tunisian activist and researcher Hayfa Mansouri
• Tunisian human rights movement leader Torkia Chaibi

As the Flotilla continues its journey to meet with a larger fleet in Africa, notable volunteers continue to join. Among them is Mandla Mandela, the grandson of Nelson Mandela. He is set to join 10 other South Africans sailing from their country to meet the fleet. On September 4th, they are assumed to join the Global Sumud Flotilla. His grandfather, Nelson Mandela, recognized the oppression of the Palestinian people and passed on the fight for freedom from oppression within generations.

“We know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians”

-Nelson Mandela

Where Are They Now?

In a media briefing, the steering committee of the Flotilla has said that the details of the specific ports and ships are being withheld for security reasons. The group estimates the fleet will take seven to eight days to make the 3,000km journey to Gaza. Currently, the ship that set sail from Barcelona is still en route to meet with the second wave in Tunisia.

Previous Flotillas

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition has been around for over 15 years, yet not many ships have made it to Gaza. 

In 2008, two boats from the Free Gaza Movement successfully reached Gaza. The movement was founded in 2006 by activists during Israel’s war in Lebanon. The organization launched 31 boats between 2008 and 2016; five were able to reach Gaza.

All other flotillas since 2010 have been intercepted or attacked by Israel in international waters.

The Beginning of the Famine

The famine did not directly begin within a month, but has been evolving into a massive starvation for over a year. Following the tragic events of October 7, 2023, Israel announced a “total blockade” on the Gaza Strip. This “blockade” halted the entry of all food, water, medicine, fuel, and electricity.

In the following month, a temporary truce between Israel and Hamas permitted a slight increase in humanitarian aid into Gaza.

As of 2024, Israel began attacking food distribution centers, spreading fear amidst the attempt to attain food. In February, Israel killed at least 112 Palestinians when it opened fire on Palestinians waiting for aid southwest of Gaza City.

As of April of that year, an Israeli drone strike targeted an aid convoy of the World Central Kitchen (WCK), killing six international aid workers and a Palestinian driver.

In November of 2024, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant against Gallant and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The charges included “war crime of starvation as a method of warfare”.

Descent to Famine

In January of 2025, there was a surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza. After a temporary truce came into effect, aid was released into Gaza, but it was less than agreed upon.

In March 2025, after 11 weeks of blockade, humanitarian aid was allowed into Gaza. However, this was a temporary measure, and it only remained active for about two weeks. Israel stopped all deliveries of humanitarian aid on March 2, 2025. This move was intended to pressure Hamas to release additional hostages. However, food distribution centers were forced to shut down. The remaining food distribution centers are too few to sufficiently feed the starving population.

Presently, Israel must allow sufficient food aid levels to feed Gaza’s 2 million people. However, the lack of immediate action has led us here, to the assembly of the Global Sumud Flotilla. As they prepare for a perilous journey, the hearts of all those who stand for humanity sail with them.

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