A humanitarian aid flotilla, carrying hundreds of activists from dozens of countries, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, has set sail from Barcelona to Gaza with the aim of breaking Israel’s naval blockade. The flotilla, which departed on August 31, 2025, is expected to arrive in Gaza in mid-September, carrying vital supplies and support for the war-ravaged coastal enclave. Thunberg, who is part of the flotilla’s steering committee, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that the story of Gaza is one of people being “deliberately deprived of the very basic means to survive” and questioning the world’s silence on the issue.
The mission, organized by the Global Sumud Flotilla, aims to “open a humanitarian corridor and end the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people.” The group defines itself as an independent organization with no affiliation to any government or political party. The flotilla is not alone in its efforts, as dozens of other vessels are expected to join the aid mission from various Mediterranean ports, including Tunisia, on September 4.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached critical levels, with the United Nations declaring a state of famine in the territory and warning that 500,000 people face “catastrophic” conditions. The conflict in Gaza was triggered by a cross-border attack by Hamas into Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians. Israel’s subsequent offensive has killed at least 63,371 Palestinians, mostly civilians.
The flotilla’s journey is not without precedent, as previous attempts to deliver aid to Gaza by sea have been blocked by Israeli forces. In June and July, activists were intercepted and detained by Israeli authorities. Despite these challenges, the organizers believe their mission is legal under international law. The Spanish government has pledged to provide diplomatic and consular protection to its citizens participating in the flotilla.
