Overview

• Organizers said roughly 20 boats with more than 300 participants from over 40 countries left Barcelona under Palestinian flags at 3:30 p.m. local time.
• The Global Sumud Flotilla aims to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and to press for a maritime humanitarian corridor.
• Backers describe it as the largest solidarity mission of its kind, with additional boats expected to join during a 6,000‑kilometer voyage likely to take at least two weeks.
• Israel previously intercepted similar efforts in June and July, detaining crews and expelling activists, including Thunberg after the Madleen was boarded offshore.
• The launch follows the UN’s August 22 declaration of famine in Gaza and its accusation that Israel obstructs aid deliveries, a claim Israel rejects.