Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Trump signs executive order on changing name of Department of Defense to Department of War
Syrian media: A car bomb detonated in Al Mashhad Street in Aleppo, potential casualties reported
Lebanese government: The army will act within the framework of the relevant decision during the August 5 session, but it has the right to exercise operational discretion
Lebanese government: The Army Commander outlined the restrictions related to the implementation of the plan, the first of which is Israeli attacks
Lebanese government: The Lebanese Army will begin implementing the plan under the available capabilities
Lebanese government: Any progress in implementing the US envoy's paper is contingent on the Israeli side's commitment
Lebanese government: Lebanon approved the paper's objectives in the cabinet and prepared the army's plan, but the Israeli side did not take corresponding steps
Lebanese government: The US envoy’s paper stipulated coordinated steps from all parties, and its implementation is contingent on the approval of the concerned parties
Lebanese government: 'Israel's' continued violations expose regional security and stability to grave risks
Lebanese government: The army command will submit a monthly report to the Council of Ministers

Gaza aid flotilla 'Sumud' sets sail from Barcelona

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 31 Aug 2025 22:19
  • 3 Shares
3 Min Read

An international aid flotilla carrying activists, including Greta Thunberg, has departed from Barcelona to challenge "Israel’s" blockade on Gaza, aiming to open a humanitarian corridor amid growing global protests.

Listen
  • x
  • Gaza aid flotilla 'Sumud' sets sail from Barcelona
    The Global Sumud Flotilla departing from Barcelona (screengrab from globalsumudflotilla on Instagram)

An international flotilla carrying humanitarian aid and hundreds of activists, including Swedish climate advocate Greta Thunberg, set sail from Barcelona on Sunday. The mission, organized by the Global Sumud Flotilla, aims to challenge the Israeli blockade on Gaza and to deliver critical aid to Palestinians in the Strip.

The convoy of around 20 vessels departed from the eastern Spanish port city shortly after 3:30 PM local time (1:30 PM GMT), flying Palestinian flags. The organizers described the initiative as an effort to establish a humanitarian corridor and oppose what they termed the "ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people."

Among those on board are prominent public figures such as Irish actor Liam Cunningham, Spanish actor Eduard Fernandez, and former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau. Participants represent dozens of nationalities, with many serving as lawmakers, civil society members, and human rights advocates.

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Global Sumud Flotilla (@globalsumudflotilla)

Mission aims to break 'Israel’s' blockade

Greta Thunberg, who serves on the flotilla's steering committee, addressed journalists ahead of departure, stating, "The story here is about Palestine. The story here is how people are being deliberately deprived of the very basic means to survive. The story here is how the world can be silent."

Echoing this sentiment, Cunningham noted, "The fact that you guys are here, and the flotilla is happening, is an indication of the world's failure to uphold international law and humanitarian law."

Related News

Greta Thunberg laid Israeli propaganda bare: Israeli media

Greta Thunberg slams 'Israel' for kidnapping Madleen activists

The journey begins—voices of hope and solidarity setting sail for Gaza pic.twitter.com/02kEJDwhs8

— Global Sumud Flotilla (@GlobalSumudF) August 31, 2025

According to organizers, the flotilla intends to arrive off Gaza’s coast by mid-September. Dozens more vessels are expected to join from other Mediterranean ports, including Tunis, beginning September 4.

Spain’s Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares also stated that the government would provide full diplomatic and consular protection to Spanish citizens participating in the flotilla. Madrid formally recognized Palestine as an independent state last year.

International support, global solidarity actions planned

Alongside the maritime effort, coordinated demonstrations and protests are scheduled across 44 countries. These events are aimed at expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people and raising awareness about the ongoing blockade.

"This will be the largest solidarity mission in history, with more people and more boats than all previous attempts combined," said Brazilian activist Thiago Avila.

Portuguese lawmaker Mariana Mortagua, who is also joining the mission, emphasized, "We understand that this is a legal mission under international law."

When the world is silent, we sail

From today’s press conference in Barcelona: the Global Sumud Flotilla prepares to launch the largest civilian mission to break Israel’s blockade on Gaza pic.twitter.com/nEM44j90Dg

— Global Sumud Flotilla (@GlobalSumudF) August 31, 2025

Previous attempts blocked by 'Israel'

"Israel" has previously intercepted similar missions attempting to breach the blockade. In June, a vessel named Madleen carrying 12 activists from various countries, including Thunberg, was intercepted 185 kilometers off the coast of Gaza. Those aboard were detained and later expelled.

In July, another ship named Handala, with 21 activists from 10 countries, faced a similar fate while attempting to approach Gaza.

  • Greta Thunberg
  • Gaza genocide
  • Barcelona
  • Freedom Flotilla Coalition
  • Global Sumud Flotilla
  • Gaza Freedom Flotilla
  • Freedom Flotilla
  • Gaza aid flotilla
  • Gaza
War on Gaza

War on Gaza

Most Read

Al Mayadeen English

Hezbollah’s weapons and the lessons of Syria, PLO, and Algeria

  • Politics
  • 2 Sep 2025
This Jan. 31, 2019 file photo, shows an oil platform in the Leviathan natural gas field, in the Mediterranean Sea off the Palestinian coast. (AP)

Netanyahu freezes $35 bln gas deal with Egypt over troops in Sinai

  • Politics
  • 2 Sep 2025
The Coming War On Iran Will Be Regional, Perhaps International

The coming war on Iran will be regional, perhaps international

  • Opinion
  • 2 Sep 2025
ap

Germany blocks EU push to sanction 'Israel' over war on Gaza

  • Politics
  • 31 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Senators demand end to GHF amid ethnic cleansing allegations
Palestine

Democratic senators call GHF Gaza aid scheme deadly, urge funding cut

Finnish flag in an undated photo (AFP)
Politics

Finland backs UN declaration supporting 'two-state solution'

UN Probe: Sudan’s RSF committed ‘myriad crimes against humanity’
Politics

Sudan’s RSF committed ‘myriad crimes against humanity’: UN probe

How a secret SEAL team 6 mission in North Korea collapsed under fire
Politics

How a covert US SEAL Team 6 mission in DPRK collapsed under fire

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS