Largest civilian flotilla to challenge "Israeli" Gaza blockade in late August

A massive civilian flotilla involving activists from over 40 countries is set to launch at the end of August in an unprecedented attempt to breach "Israel’s" blockade on Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid by sea.

The initiative was announced during a press conference in Tunis, organized by the Joint Action Coordination for Palestine, a civil society platform coordinating the international campaign.

According to organizers of the Global Sumud Flotilla, dozens of boats of varying sizes will depart from ports worldwide and converge on Gaza in what they describe as the largest civilian maritime effort in history aimed at confronting the siege.

“This summer, the world will witness a coordinated civilian uprising at sea,” said Haifa Mansouri, one of the lead organizers. “Our goal is to break the illegal blockade, establish a humanitarian corridor, and stand against the genocide unfolding in Gaza.”

The flotilla merges four separate movements: the Maghreb Sumud Flotilla, the Global Movement to Gaza, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, and Sumud Nusantara. The first fleet is scheduled to depart from Spanish ports on August 31, followed by another from Tunisia on September 4.

Over 6,000 activists have already signed up to join the effort, according to Seif Abu Keshk, another flotilla organizer. “Participants will receive training at departure points, and solidarity encampments and public events are planned along the journey,” he said.

“This is more than a protest—it’s a civilian mission to challenge global indifference and apply pressure on governments to end the blockade,” Abu Keshk added.

The announcement comes just days after "Israeli" naval forces intercepted the Handala aid ship on July 26, diverting it to Ashdod port as it approached Gaza’s coast. The ship had reached about 70 nautical miles from shore, further than many previous attempts.

Earlier this year, the vessel Madleen made it 110 nautical miles before being intercepted.