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What is the Global Sumud Flotilla to Gaza?

Credit: Global Movement to Gaza
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London, UK
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A fleet of more than 50 ships will embark on the largest mission to break Israel’s ongoing illegal siege on Gaza yet. A storm has delayed the first leg of the trip, but organisers are determined to take to the seas as soon as it is safe to do so – possibly tonight.

A global fleet of more than 50 ships set sail from Barcelona on Sunday with the aim of reaching Gaza, breaking through Israel’s illegal blockade, and delivering urgently needed humanitarian aid.

A few hours into their trip, the fleet was forced to turn back due to unsafe weather conditions, including winds of up to 30 knots (more than 55km per hour). Organisers say the decision to turn back was not an easy one to make, but one that prioritised the safety of all those on board the ships.

The first fleet in the convoy is made up of small civilian vessels. Aboard are doctors, activists, humanitarians, sailors, and humanitarian supplies. This group of boats was on track to arrive in Tunisia on September 4, and would depart with another fleet carrying more people and aid.

The Global Sumud Flotilla – named for the Arabic word meaning ‘steadfastness’ or ‘resilience’ – is the largest maritime mission to Gaza, comprised of 50 ships and delegates from 44 countries worldwide.

Some of these delegates are well known public figures, including 22-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, Irish actor Liam Cunningham, Brazilian activist Thiago Avila, former Mayor of Barcelona Ada Colau Ballano, and Spanish actor Eduard Fernandez.

A meeting will be carried out today – Monday 1st of September – to determine when the journey to Gaza will resume. It is possible that the fleet could embark this evening, weather permitting.

Past attempts to deliver aid into Gaza by way of the sea have been intercepted or attacked by Israeli military forces once they’ve reached international waters.

In 2025 alone, three vessels filled with life-saving supplies were prevented from entering Gaza, including the Handala in July, the Madleen in June, and the Conscience in May.

The Conscious ship was struck with armed drones twice as it neared the coast of Malta. The hull was damaged significantly, causing 30 activists on board to bail water out of the boat to stop it from sinking.

Still, groups of activists and seafarers aboard the vessels that make up the Global Sumud Flotilla are determined to try to enter the Strip once again, as current aid distribution methods in Gaza have proven deadly.

More than 1,380 people have been killed and thousands more wounded after being shot at by Israeli armed forces while approaching aid distribution centres set up by an Israel and US-based organisation.

A report by Doctors Without Borders has called the sites ‘orchestrated killing’ sites that dehumanise Palestinians in Gaza. It reported that 11 percent of gunshot injuries inflicted at GHF sites were to the head and neck, while 19 percent were to areas covering the chest, abdomen, and back. The organisation called for the distribution centres to be ‘immediately dismantled’.

Aid drops from the sky – distributed by countries including Canada, France, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates – pose further risks. Though some land safety, many have crushed and killed people racing to meet the pallets weighing tons as they land quickly on the ground.

Those who reach the pallets have opened them to find that they contain mouldy food, as well as pork products, which are not suitable as most of the population in Gaza is Muslim.

The continuous failure of global government leaders to successfully deliver proper aid to the people of Gaza has resulted in humanitarian organisations taking matters into their own hands.

The fate of the Global Sumud Flotilla remains to be seen, but its mission is no different to the ships that came before it – to uphold human rights, international law, and to provide the people of Gaza is with aid, but most importantly, to offer them hope and proof that the world does see and care for them.

Deputy Editor & Content Partnership Manager London, UK

I’m Jessica (She/Her). I’m the Deputy Editor & Content Partnership Manager at Thred. Originally from the island of Bermuda, I specialise in writing about ocean health and marine conservation, but you can also find me delving into pop culture, health and wellness, plus sustainability in the beauty and fashion industries. Follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn and drop me some ideas/feedback via email.

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