Gaza aid flotilla departs from Barcelona

A maritime convoy consisting of approximately forty vessels has departed from the port of Barcelona, beginning a coordinated mission directed toward the Gaza Strip. According to the organisers, the initiative is intended to deliver humanitarian assistance while also expressing opposition to the maritime restrictions imposed on the territory.

The departure of the fleet was initially planned for Sunday; however, the schedule was postponed due to unfavourable weather conditions in the Mediterranean region. The convoy eventually set sail shortly after 11:30 in the morning local time, corresponding to 09:30 GMT, as confirmed in an official statement issued by the organisers.

The operation, named the Global Sumud Flotilla, is composed mainly of sailing vessels and represents part of a wider international coordination effort. The term “Sumud” originates from Arabic and is translated as “resilience,” reflecting the stated theme of the mission and its emphasis on sustained civilian participation across multiple countries.

In addition to the vessels departing from Barcelona, the convoy has been reinforced through further maritime participation. Around twenty boats joined after setting off from Marseille, France, on 4 April. Additional ships are planned to depart from Syracuse in Sicily on 24 April, expanding the scale of the coordinated movement across the Mediterranean.

As part of the operational preparation, the convoy is also expected to make a scheduled stop in southern Italy. During this period, participants are set to undergo training focused on non-violence principles, which organisers describe as a preparatory step for the continuation of the mission toward Gaza.

The stated objective of the flotilla is to bring together several hundred pro-Palestinian activists from different countries, forming an international presence in support of humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip. Organisers emphasise that the mission is civilian and humanitarian in nature, without military involvement.

Previous attempts of a similar nature were recorded in late 2025, when a flotilla of around fifty boats attempted to reach Gaza. That group reportedly included activists and public figures such as Greta Thunberg. According to statements from organisers and referenced by Amnesty International, vessels were boarded by Israeli naval forces during that attempt. The action was described by these groups as unlawful, and individuals aboard were detained and later expelled from Israel.

The current mission takes place within the broader context of the Gaza Strip situation, where a blockade has been in place since 2007. The territory is governed by Hamas, and both Israeli authorities and the Palestinian Islamist movement have accused each other of violating a ceasefire agreement implemented on 10 October 2025 following a conflict lasting two years.

The present convoy therefore combines multiple coordinated departures from different Mediterranean locations, scheduled reinforcement stops, and structured preparation activities. The combined effort from Barcelona, Marseille, and the planned departure from Sicily forms part of a larger maritime route designed to converge toward the eastern Mediterranean region with the declared aim of delivering humanitarian support and drawing attention to the ongoing blockade conditions affecting Gaza.