Global Sumud aid flotilla to set sail for Gaza on March 29 with expanded international mission

The Global Sumud aid flotilla will embark on a renewed mission to Gaza on March 29, departing from Barcelona with significantly expanded international participation. Activist Sumeyra Akdeniz Ordu announced the plan during a live-streamed press conference in Johannesburg, stating that the flotilla will include thousands of participants, among them over a thousand healthcare workers, eco-builders, and war crimes investigators.

Expanded Scope and Route

Ordu noted that the mission will begin in Barcelona before making stops in Tunisia, Italy, and other Mediterranean ports to gather additional participants and supplies. This broader, multi-disciplinary approach distinguishes the upcoming voyage from earlier efforts, which primarily focused on delivering humanitarian aid.

Context and Challenges

Civilian flotillas have long attempted to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza, often facing interception by Israeli naval forces. The March 29 mission aims to draw international attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and challenge the ongoing restrictions on maritime access to the territory.