Overview

• Dozens of vessels are scheduled to depart Barcelona on August 31, with additional departures from Tunis and Sicily on September 4 as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla.
• The effort involves hundreds of participants from about 44 countries, with high-profile figures including Greta Thunberg and Portuguese politician Mariana Mortagua named by organizers.
• Irish novelist Naoise Dolan said she will join the mission, and Irish lawmaker Paul Murphy announced he plans to board in Tunis next week.
• Organizers say the flotilla aims to deliver aid, open a humanitarian corridor to Gaza, and press national governments to ensure safe passage.
• Israel has repeatedly intercepted previous flotillas, including a deadly 2010 raid and the June 2025 seizure of a British-flagged yacht carrying Thunberg, while it maintains the blockade to prevent weapons reaching Hamas; Gaza health officials report nearly 63,000 Palestinians killed since October 2023 and monitors warn of famine in parts of the territory.