Maghreb Sumud Flotilla delays Tunisia-Gaza departure to September 10
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The Maghreb Sumud Flotilla from Tunisia to Gaza has been delayed until September 10 due to technical and logistical issues, organizers confirmed Saturday.
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People hold Palestinian flags as they bid farewell to activists setting sail on their boats to join a civilian flotilla bound for Gaza to break the Israeli blockade and deliver humanitarian aid, in Barcelona, Spain, on Sunday, August 31, 2025 (AP)
Organizers of the Maghreb Sumud Flotilla announced Saturday that the planned departure of pro-Palestinian activists from Tunisia to Gaza has been postponed until Wednesday, September 10.
The boats were originally scheduled to set sail on Sunday, but organizers cited “technical and logistical reasons beyond management’s control” for the delay.
The Maghreb Sumud Flotilla is set to join vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla, which have already departed from Spain and Italy, in an effort to challenge the Israeli regime's naval blockade on Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid.
The departure had previously been delayed by bad weather, further pushing back the timing of the Tunis launch.
UK refuses to protect Global Sumud Flotilla
Activists aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla have called for international protection after the United Kingdom government declined to offer any security guarantees for the Gaza-bound humanitarian mission.
The flotilla, which embarked on its journey toward the besieged Palestinian enclave, includes dozens of volunteers from 44 countries, among them a delegation from the United Kingdom. The mission aims to deliver urgently needed aid to Palestinians in Gaza, including food, water, and medical supplies, amid what organizers describe as a worsening humanitarian catastrophe.
Volunteers had earlier appealed to the UK government to “support” and “protect” them should they face interception by Israeli forces, as occurred during previous flotilla efforts, according to The National, a Scottish daily.
Despite the calls, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Wednesday that his government would not offer protection to British citizens participating in the mission.
International calls for protection and humanitarian access
In response, flotilla organizers issued a renewed appeal to international bodies, including the United Nations and national governments, urging them to ensure the volunteers' safe passage.
