On the Deck of “Al-Sumoud”: A Flotilla Challenging the World’s Conscience
WANA (Sep 05) – From the port of Barcelona, a maritime convoy has set sail—hailed as the largest civilian initiative in recent years to break the siege of Gaza. More than seventy vessels from different countries are taking part, ranging from small boats to large ships loaded with relief supplies. Organizers describe it not only as a humanitarian mission, but also as a reminder of the international community’s failure to end a blockade that has dragged on for years, calling into question both human rights and human dignity.
The flotilla is made up of various civil and human rights coalitions, including the Freedom Flotilla, the Global Gaza Movement, the Al-Sumoud Convoy, and the Malaysian organization Al-Sumoud Nusantara. The main ships departed Barcelona, Spain, on Sunday, while another group joined them from Genoa, Italy. Additional contingents from Tunisia and other Mediterranean countries are expected to follow in the coming days.
The declared aim of the flotilla is to deliver food, medicine, and drinking water to people facing severe shortages as a result of the prolonged blockade. According to its spokespeople, the mission is neither commercial nor military-political, but a humanitarian effort to break the silence and pressure Israel to end Gaza’s 18-year siege.
The world’s largest maritime convoy, called the Global Al-Sumoud Flotilla, is made up of dozens of ships carrying humanitarian aid for Gaza. Social Meddia / WANA News Agency
Faces on Deck
Among the hundreds of volunteers, the presence of some well-known figures has given the convoy added political and media weight.
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, speaking at a press conference in Barcelona before departure, said: “The story here is about Palestine. The story here is how people are being deliberately deprived of the very basic means to survive.”
In an interview with a news agency, she added: “It has been very clear that Israel has been continuously violating international law by either attacking, unlawfully intercepting the boats in international waters, and continuously preventing the humanitarian aid from coming in.”
She also noted: “This is the 38th attempt by the people to break the illegal siege of Gaza.”
Interviews with people from 44 countries who are joining more than seventy ships to head for Gaza and challenge the blockade. Socia; Media / WANA News Agency
Irish actor Liam Cunningham told reporters: “The fact that you guys are here, and the flotilla is happening, is an indication of the world’s failure to uphold international law and humanitarian law, and it is a shameful, shameful period in the history of our world.”
Brazilian activist Tiago Ávila described the mission as: “The largest solidarity mission in history, with more people and more boats than all previous attempts combined.”
Alongside them, members of parliament from Italy and Turkey have also joined: four from the Italian parliament and four from the Turkish parliament.
Spokeswoman Maria Elena Delia released the names of the Italian MPs: Arturo Scotto and Annalisa Corrado from the Democratic Party, Senator Marco Croatti from the Five Star Movement, and Benedetta Scuderi from the Green-Left Alliance.
Four Italian MPs are taking part in the Global Al-Sumoud Flotilla to break the Gaza blockade. Social media / WANA News Agency
Other notable figures include Mandla Mandela, grandson of Nelson Mandela, and Portuguese politician Mariana Mortágua, as well as artists, teachers, doctors, and farmers from different countries.
“This group knows their lives are at risk,” Delia said. “But they have decided to be here to show that politics can also serve humanity.”
The Italian relief NGO Emergency has also contributed its 51-meter rescue ship, usually deployed to save migrants in the Mediterranean. This time, the vessel carries a medical and logistical mission to Gaza.
The world’s largest maritime convoy, called the Global Al-Sumoud Flotilla, is made up of dozens of ships carrying humanitarian aid for Gaza. Social Meddia / WANA News Agency
Why Are Some Countries Absent—Including Iran?
Many have asked whether countries such as Lebanon, Yemen, or Iran—frontline opponents of Israel and supporters of Palestine—are represented in the flotilla. Organizers say no.
According to them, Israel explicitly threatened to use the presence of citizens from those countries as justification for military action. In addition, convoy members feared that involving nationals of states directly at war with Israel could provide fresh political or security pretexts and undermine the peaceful nature of the mission.
As a result, the difficult decision was made to exclude volunteers from Iran, Yemen, and Lebanon—seen as necessary to avoid further escalation and keep the focus squarely on the core goal: delivering aid to Gaza.
Crowds welcomed the departure of the Global Al-Sumoud Flotilla from Spain as it set sail for Gaza. Social Media / WANA News Agency
History Repeats
The Al-Sumoud Convoy recalls earlier attempts. The most famous was the Mavi Marmara flotilla of 2010, attacked by Israeli forces with deadly consequences. In later years, ships such as the Hanzala and the Marianne were intercepted before reaching Gaza.
With this history in mind, many participants know the chances of arrival are slim. An Italian sailor, previously arrested multiple times, said: “I’ve been stopped many times, but I’m not afraid of Israel. The resilience of the Palestinian people is what brought me back to join this flotilla.”
The ship “Hanzala,” which had set sail toward the Gaza Strip to break the blockade. Social media / WANA News Agency
Reactions and Threats
In Tel Aviv, the stance is clear. The newspaper Israel Hayom reported that none of the ships will be allowed to reach Gaza’s shores, and that the army is prepared to stop them well before they come close. This suggests Israel is maintaining its hardline approach.
In Europe, reactions have been mixed. Some outlets call it “the largest maritime solidarity mission of the century,” while others warn against the “politicization” of the convoy. Yet, it seems that even before arrival, Al-Sumoud has already sparked a global conversation on Gaza.
The flotilla has called on European governments and the EU to exert political pressure ensuring its safe passage. The UN has already warned that aid deliveries into Gaza remain far below the level needed to confront the hunger crisis.
Organizers say participants have been trained to handle all scenarios. The ships are expected to reach Gaza’s shores by mid-September.
On the Deck of “Al-Sumoud”. Social media / WANA News Agency
More Than Just Aid
The Al-Sumoud Convoy is not only about delivering medicine and food; it has also become a symbolic stage. Images of raised flags, volunteer interviews, and farewell ceremonies serve as powerful representations for Palestine.
Organizers repeatedly stress that even if the ships are stopped, the message will still reach its destination.
Al-Sumoud is more than a relief convoy—it is a challenge to Israel’s narrative and a reaffirmation of the legitimacy of civil resistance.
Crowds welcomed the departure of the Global Al-Sumoud Flotilla from Spain as it set sail for Gaza. Social Media / WANA News Agency
An Open Ending on the Mediterranean Waves
Now, ships from Spain, Italy, Tunisia, and Greece are joining forces. Their final destination is Gaza, but before that lies the uncertainty of international waters and the possibility of confrontation with the Israeli navy.
In Barcelona, farewell scenes were bittersweet: a Spanish child holding a cloth reading “For the children of Gaza” while his parents wept, just a few meters away from journalists broadcasting live reports.
Whether the flotilla reaches Gaza remains uncertain. What is certain, however, is that Gaza has once again become the focus of global attention—and the Mediterranean Sea has turned into a new stage to test the boundaries of power and humanity.
