After several postponements caused by drone attacks,
weather, and logistical challenges, the Global Sumud Flotilla has finally set
sail from Tunisia’s ports carrying humanitarian aid and activists, including
Greta Thunberg, aiming to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza. The convoy consists
of over 40 vessels from multiple countries and has faced regional tensions but
remains committed to its mission.
Largest Gaza Flotilla Departs Tunisia Amid Challenges
On 14 September 2025, the Global Sumud Flotilla departed
from multiple Tunisian ports, including Bizerte, Gammarth, and Sidi Bou Said,
setting sail towards Gaza. This convoy involves sixteen ships leaving Tunisia,
which will meet vessels from Italy, Spain, and Greece in the Mediterranean as
part of the largest flotilla organized to challenge Israel’s blockade and
deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Khaled Boujemaa, a member of the Maghreb contingent, told
Anadolu Agency that 11 ships left Bizerte port from Saturday evening to Sunday
night, with others departing from Gammarth and Sidi Bou Said. The flotilla
consists of hundreds of participants from over 40 countries, including
prominent politicians, artists, parliamentarians, pro-Palestinian activists,
and humanitarian workers.
Delays Caused by Drone Attacks and Logistics
The flotilla’s departure was delayed multiple times due to
drone attacks on two vessels anchored near Tunisian shores. The ships Family
and Alma were reportedly targeted on consecutive nights, with no injuries
reported but substantial concern among participants. Tunisian authorities
condemned these attacks as "premeditated aggression" and have
launched an investigation.
Other complications included weather conditions that forced
vessels to return to port in Barcelona and challenges with boat preparations
and fuel shortages in Tunisia. These factors caused the flotilla to be nearly
ten days behind schedule compared to the original mid-September plan.
High-Profile Participants and Their Mission
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, speaking to AFP before boarding in Bizerte, said,
“We are also trying to send a message to the people of Gaza that the world has not forgotten about you.”
She stressed the
failure of governments to act, prompting activists to take matters into their
own hands peacefully to deliver aid.
Other notable participants include French-Palestinian MEP
Rima Hassan, who was detained aboard a previous attempt to reach Gaza, actor
Liam and Adele Haenel, the former Mayor of Barcelona Ada Colau, and Nkosi
Zwelivelile Mandela, Nelson Mandela’s grandson.
Rima Hassan expressed fears of further attacks on the
flotilla and stated efforts to disperse prominent figures across different
boats to mitigate risks.
Humanitarian and Political Context
The flotilla aims to break the Israeli naval blockade on
Gaza, which has been in place since 2007, severely restricting supplies to the
enclave. Gaza is currently facing a dire humanitarian crisis, with food and
medical shortages exacerbated by months of closure of land crossings and
bombardments that have left much of the territory uninhabitable.
The Israeli military has killed nearly 65,000 Palestinians
since October 2023, mostly civilians, according to multiple reports. Israel
opposes these flotillas, viewing them as provocative actions that threaten its
security. It has previously intercepted and deported passengers of similar
missions, including an attempt in June involving Greta Thunberg.
Regional and International Reactions
Tunisia permitted the flotilla’s departure despite regional
diplomatic pressures. Tunisian officials condemned the drone attacks and
reaffirmed their investigation into these incidents.
Internationally, reactions are mixed: some Western
governments advocate humanitarian aid through existing channels, while others
support the flotilla’s symbolic challenge to the blockade.
Protesters and supporters gathered in Greece’s Syros port to send off additional ships joining the flotilla, emphasizing solidarity with Gaza. Vessels from Greece's Oxygen and Ilektra also departed to join the main convoy.