Activists from across Europe set sail in a renewed bid to deliver aid to Gaza – and bring Israel's blockade of the territory back into the global spotlight.
Issued on: 12/04/2026 - RFI
Boats of a new humanitarian flotilla bound for the Gaza Strip make a symbolic leave from Barcelona's Port Vell on 12 April 2026 as the departure of the flotilla has been postponed due to bad weather. AFP - JOSEP LAGOAround 20 French boats sailed out of Marseille on Saturday in a show of solidarity with Gaza, joining a growing international effort to challenge Israel’s long-running blockade and deliver humanitarian aid to the besieged territory.
Cheered on by roughly a thousand supporters gathered at the docks, the mostly small sailboats departed to applause and chants of “Gaza, Marseille is with you”, setting the tone for what organisers hope will become a highly visible, multinational mission.
The vessels will link up with the so-called Global Sumud Flotilla – named after a Gazan fisherman – which is expected to bring together around 100 boats from across the Mediterranean in the coming days.
A larger contingent of about 30 boats was due to leave Barcelona on Sunday – carrying medical supplies and other essential aid – but has reportedly been delayed due to bad weather. Additional vessels are expected to join en route, with the flotilla planning to head towards Gaza around 20 April after a week-long stopover in southern Italy for non-violence training.
For participants, the mission is as much about raising awareness as it is about delivering aid.
“The goal is to give Palestine more visibility. We’re not talking about it much right now, because of the international context,” said Manon, a crew member on one of the Marseille boats who declined to give her full name.
Renewed push after past setbacks
This is not the first attempt by activists to reach Gaza by sea. A similar flotilla in late 2025, involving around 50 boats and high-profile figures including climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, was intercepted by the Israeli navy before it could reach its destination.
Participants in that mission were detained and later expelled by Israel. Activists and organisations such as Amnesty International criticised the operation as illegal, while Israeli authorities defended their actions.
Accounts from some of those detained have added to the controversy. Swiss and Spanish participants said they were subjected to inhumane conditions during their detention – claims that were firmly rejected by an Israeli foreign ministry spokesperson.
Despite those setbacks, organisers appear undeterred. The scale of this latest flotilla – and the fact that boats are joining from multiple countries – suggests a renewed determination to keep the issue in the public eye.
Humanitarian concerns
The flotilla comes against the backdrop of a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which took effect on 10 October 2025, after two years of war. Both sides have since accused each other of violations.
Israel, which has maintained a blockade on Gaza since 2007, says it does not restrict humanitarian supplies to the territory’s more than 2 million residents. However, Palestinian officials and international aid organisations argue that the flow of goods remains insufficient, particularly in critical areas such as healthcare.
The World Health Organization has stressed that, even during conflict, international humanitarian law obliges states to ensure safe access to medical care.
Supporters of the flotilla say their mission is intended to help fill those gaps – and to pressure governments to do more.
“This is a mission that aims to open a humanitarian corridor so that aid delivery organisations can arrive,” said Saif Abukeshak, a Palestinian activist involved in organising the flotilla.
Irish actor Liam Cunningham, who has voiced support for the initiative, framed the effort as a grassroots response to political inaction.
“Every kilogramme of aid that is on these ships is a failure,” he said. “All these people giving up their time to help their fellow human beings are doing what their governments are legally obliged to do.”
(With newswires)
The flotilla comes against the backdrop of a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which took effect on 10 October 2025, after two years of war. Both sides have since accused each other of violations.
Israel, which has maintained a blockade on Gaza since 2007, says it does not restrict humanitarian supplies to the territory’s more than 2 million residents. However, Palestinian officials and international aid organisations argue that the flow of goods remains insufficient, particularly in critical areas such as healthcare.
The World Health Organization has stressed that, even during conflict, international humanitarian law obliges states to ensure safe access to medical care.
Supporters of the flotilla say their mission is intended to help fill those gaps – and to pressure governments to do more.
“This is a mission that aims to open a humanitarian corridor so that aid delivery organisations can arrive,” said Saif Abukeshak, a Palestinian activist involved in organising the flotilla.
Irish actor Liam Cunningham, who has voiced support for the initiative, framed the effort as a grassroots response to political inaction.
“Every kilogramme of aid that is on these ships is a failure,” he said. “All these people giving up their time to help their fellow human beings are doing what their governments are legally obliged to do.”
(With newswires)
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