Overview

• The Global Sumud Flotilla left Barcelona on August 31 with roughly 20–22 boats and several hundred participants from 44 countries to challenge Israel’s naval blockade and deliver humanitarian supplies.
• After a sea trial, the convoy returned to port as gusts above 30 knots made conditions unsafe, with plans to rejoin vessels due to depart from Tunisia, Sicily, Genoa and Greece once weather permits.
• The effort comes after a UN-backed famine declaration for Gaza, with officials reporting about half a million people facing catastrophic hunger and confirmed deaths linked to malnutrition.
• Israel’s national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has signaled a hard line, proposing prolonged detention of participants and confiscation of vessels if an attempt to breach the blockade proceeds.
• Organizers argue the voyage is lawful and say intercepting ships in international waters would be illegal, citing earlier interdictions this year of the Madleen and Handala.