Gaza: the Global Sumud Flotilla Under Attack

An unprecedented international flotilla, the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), launched in summer 2025, is the most ambitious citizen maritime initiative ever organized to break the Gaza blockade.

More than 60 ships and 500 volunteers from 45 countries are currently converging on the Eastern Mediterranean, with the mission to deliver humanitarian aid, food, and medicines. The Arabic word ṣumūd (صمود), meaning perseverance, symbolizes the daily resistance of the Palestinian people against occupation.

The GSF is an international maritime initiative launched in summer 2025 by a network of NGOs, citizen collectives, and solidarity movements.
Objectives:

Deliver humanitarian aid (food, medicines, medical supplies).
Organize the largest coordinated civilian flotilla in history: 60 ships, 500 volunteers, 45 countries.
Conduct a non-violent action against an illegal siege.
Create a global solidarity movement reaching Europe, North Africa, Latin America, and Asia.
Organization and Coalition
The GSF includes:

Global Movement to Gaza (formerly Global March to Gaza)
Freedom Flotilla Coalition (15 years of maritime experience)
Maghreb Sumud Flotilla (North Africa)
Sumud Nusantara (Malaysia + Southeast Asia)
Steering Committee
Members include:

Greta Thunberg (Sweden) – climate & social justice activist, involved in Gaza maritime missions
Yasemin Acar (Turkey/Germany) – human rights activist, Freedom Flotilla
Thiago Ávila (Brazil) – socio-environmentalist, mission coordinator
Maria Elena Delia (Italy) – Free Gaza Movement, Vittorio Arrigoni Foundation
Saif Abukeshek (Palestine/Spain) – unionist, organizer based in Barcelona
Karen Moynihan (Ireland), Melanie Schweizer (Germany), Kleoniki Alexopoulou (Greece)… among many others from the Maghreb, Asia, and Europe.
In the Night of September 8–9…
Tunisia: a ship hit by a drone
During the night of September 8 to 9, one of the main ships of the flotilla, the flagship Family from Barcelona, was hit by a drone while anchored off Sidi Bou Saïd (Tunisia).
“We have been attacked, the ship is on fire, there is a strong explosion. I am on the top deck, the police are arriving!” testified a crew member.

The attack caused a quick fire, but was contained, though it forced the evacuation of passengers. On the coast, about a hundred people spontaneously gathered to welcome the survivors and express solidarity. Although Tunisian authorities deny the attack, videos and testimonies confirm the militants’ account.

Previous Incidents
This incident adds to a series of obstacles:

June: the Madleen mission (with Greta Thunberg and MEP Rima Hassan) was intercepted in international waters.
July: the Handala mission, departing from Syracuse with 21 civilians and humanitarian cargo, was seized and diverted to Ashdod.
In each case, volunteers were detained and expelled.
Increased International Mobilization
Despite threats and attacks, determination remains strong. Supporters and passengers include:

Greta Thunberg (eco-activist)
Ada Colau (former Barcelona mayor)
Adèle Haenel (French actress)
Mandla Mandela (Nelson Mandela’s grandson)
as well as several MEPs and union leaders.
Organizers claim that the GSF could become “the largest civilian flotilla in history” in support of Gaza.

In Belgium: Call for Support
The Belgian delegation, composed of activists and parliamentarians, is calling for a €25,000 collection to charter a ship and cover participation costs.

Organizers invite citizens to contribute through:

Financial donations
Volunteering efforts
Maritime or logistical participation
“Supporting the Global Sumud Flotilla means defending life, justice, and freedom.”

Recent Attack Timeline:

June 2025 – Madleen Mission intercepted in Sicily.
July 2025 – Handala Mission seized off Syracuse.

By Kadir Duran – Brussels Korner