A flotilla of dozens of boats set sail for Gaza from Barcelona on Wednesday in a fresh bid to break an Israeli blockade and deliver aid supplies. Last year, another flotilla of about 50 boats was boarded by the Israeli navy, resulting in crew members, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, being arrested and expelled by Israel.
Issued on: 15/04/2026
By: FRANCE 24
Boats of a new flotilla bound for the Gaza Strip make a symbolic departure from Barcelona on April 12, 2026.
© Josep Lago, AFP
A flotilla of some 40 boats set sail for Gaza from Barcelona on Wednesday in a fresh bid to break an Israeli blockade and deliver aid to the devastated territory, organisers said.
The Global Sumud Flotilla had initially been set to depart from the Mediterranean port on Sunday, but the mission was postponed due to adverse weather conditions.
A flotilla of some 40 boats set sail for Gaza from Barcelona on Wednesday in a fresh bid to break an Israeli blockade and deliver aid to the devastated territory, organisers said.
The Global Sumud Flotilla had initially been set to depart from the Mediterranean port on Sunday, but the mission was postponed due to adverse weather conditions.
The ships, mostly sailboats, set sail just after 11:30am (09:30GMT), organisers said in a statement.
Some 20 boats, which will join the maritime convoy, left the French port of Marseille on April 4, and more ships are set to depart from Syracuse in Sicily on April 24.
A week-long stopover is planned in southern Italy for "non-violence training".
Sumud, which means "resilience" in Arabic, is due to rally hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists from dozens of countries.
In late 2025, an initial flotilla of about 50 boats, composed of political figures and activists such as Sweden's Greta Thunberg, was boarded by the Israeli navy – illegally, according to the organisers and Amnesty International.
Last Gaza flotilla boat intercepted by Israel, organisers say
The crew members were arrested and expelled by Israel.
The Gaza Strip, governed by Hamas, has been under an Israeli blockade since 2007. Israel and the Palestinian Islamist movement accuse each other of violating a ceasefire that came into effect on October 10, 2025, after two years of war.
(FRANCE 24 and AFP)
The crew members were arrested and expelled by Israel.
The Gaza Strip, governed by Hamas, has been under an Israeli blockade since 2007. Israel and the Palestinian Islamist movement accuse each other of violating a ceasefire that came into effect on October 10, 2025, after two years of war.
(FRANCE 24 and AFP)
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