Named after the Arabic word meaning Arabic immobility, the principle of Arabic resistance, the global Sumud Flotilla is pushing across the Mediterranean towards Tunisia, part of Israel’s bid to break the Navy Blockade of Gaza in 18.
More than 50 ships carrying humanitarian aid and hundreds of activists are expected to take part in the mission before turning east towards the besieged enclave.
Organizers say the mission is “completely peaceful, legal and unstoppable.”
Departing from Menorca and Barcelona earlier this week, it is now joined by Italian, Tunisia and later vessels, but is expected to expand to more than 50 ships before sailing towards the besieged enclave.
Activists stress the mission is urgent: Gaza enters its 700th day of devastation, with more than 64,000 Palestinians killed in the Israeli war, with a UN hunger warning.
Among those on board is Marie Mässmeir, a French parliamentary member of France Insmize. He described the mission as “the biggest peaceful and popular initiative in supporting the Palestinians in Gaza,” urging President Emmanuel Macron to acknowledge his actions as a genocide in Israel.
Mandra Mandela, grandson of Nelson Mandela, joined the Tunisian journey, saying, “The Palestinians are experiencing apartheid in a much worse form of apartheid than we have experienced.”
International voices amplify support. Colombian President Gustavo Petro praised participants for choosing “the most difficult and dangerous path: the path of action in the face of brutal violence.”
Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territory, pledged to block shipments to Israel in the event of a fleet’s attack, while confirming that the fleet’s dockworkers are “completely in international law.”
Flotilla also includes Swedish activist Greta Thunberg. Greta Thunberg denounced what was called “Genosidal political propaganda” by Israeli officials attempting to intimidate participants. Irish actor Liam Cunningham, Spanish actor Eduardo Fernandez and former mayor of Barcelona Ada Kollou are among the cultural figures who lend visibility into the mission.
Itamar Ben Gwil, Israel’s far-right national security minister, called activists “terrorists” and spurred rage from organizers who denounced Israel as a crime.
Previous fleets, including the 2010 attack on Mavi Marmara, which killed ten activists, were heavily blocked. Recent attempts in 2024 and 2025 have been filled with drone strikes and mass detention in international waters.
This time, the organizers claim that the world is watching. “Our mission is humane, legal and unstoppable,” the coalition said in a statement. “We cannot live comfortably while the people of Gaza remain locked down and genocide.”
Once the fleet is bordered by a rim close to Gaza, its success may be measured by whether it reaches the enclave or not.