In an extraordinary display of global solidarity with the people of Gaza, the Global Sumud Flotilla has officially departed Tunisian ports, embarking on a historic mission to break Israel’s 18-year siege on the coastal enclave and deliver desperately needed humanitarian aid.

Named after the Arabic word for steadfastness or perseverance, the flotilla is the largest coordinated maritime effort to challenge the blockade since it was imposed in 2007. The coalition brings together activists, parliamentarians, human rights defenders, and public figures from over 44 countries, united under the banners of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, Global Movement to Gaza, Maghreb Sumud Flotilla, and Sumud Nusantara.

A Humanitarian Lifeline for Gaza

Organizers say the mission aims to open a humanitarian sea corridor, bypassing Israeli restrictions that have kept Gaza under siege for nearly two decades. The convoy is carrying over 500 tons of food, medicine, and essential supplies to confront the famine, disease outbreaks, and humanitarian collapse that international agencies have called “one of the worst crises in modern history.”

“Every sack of flour and every medical kit on these ships is a message to the world: Gaza’s children will not be starved into submission,” said Irish activist Tara Reynor O’Grady from aboard one of the lead vessels.

Departures from Tunisian Ports

The flotilla’s Tunisian leg began over the weekend, with 11 ships sailing out of Bizerte, followed by additional vessels leaving Gammarth and Sidi Bou Said. These joined boats from Spain, Italy, and Greece that departed earlier, converging in the Mediterranean for the final approach toward Gaza.

Participants include Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, Nkosi Zwelivelile “Mandla” Mandela (grandson of Nelson Mandela), and four European Members of Parliament, symbolizing a rare moment of transnational unity against what they describe as Israel’s “illegal and immoral siege.”

Drone Attacks Fail to Deter Mission

The flotilla faced two suspected drone attacks earlier this week, with incendiary devices striking the flagship Family Boat and another vessel, Alma, causing fires that were quickly extinguished. No casualties were reported, and the organizers released footage of the incidents, accusing Israel or its proxies of sabotage.

“These attacks were meant to terrorize us,” said Ghassan al-Hanshiri, spokesperson for the Maghreb Sumud Flotilla. “But we will not turn back. The world must see Gaza’s suffering end.”

A Global Call to End Gaza’s Genocide

The timing of the mission underscores the urgency. Since Israel’s full-scale war on Gaza began in October 2023, nearly 65,000 Palestinians — mostly women and children — have been killed. The enclave has been bombed into near-total ruin, with mass displacement, starvation, and epidemics spreading among survivors.

Human rights groups and UN experts have condemned Israel’s blockade as a form of collective punishment and a central component of what they now openly describe as an ongoing genocide.

High Stakes and High Risks

Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has threatened that flotilla participants may be treated as “terrorists” and imprisoned if intercepted. The memory of the 2010 Mavi Marmara massacre, when Israeli commandos killed 10 activists aboard a Gaza-bound aid ship, looms large.

Still, the participants remain resolute. Decks are draped in Palestinian flags and banners demanding an end to the siege. Social media campaigns worldwide are amplifying the flotilla’s journey, with millions tracking its progress.

Symbol of Hope for Gaza

As the vessels sail toward Gaza, videos of children waving from the shore circulate online, turning the mission into a symbol of hope for Palestinians under siege. Organizers insist this is more than a convoy — it is a global act of defiance.

“This flotilla is Gaza’s heartbeat reaching out to the world,” one organizer declared. “If we succeed, it will not only bring aid — it will break the silence.” (ILKHA)