The Mission

What is the Flotilla for Gaza: departures, countries involved and objectives. Everything you need to know

An expedition of 400 people and 40 ships to bring aid to the Strip

by Rome Editorial Staff

5 September 2025

Gaza, la Global Sumud Flotilla è ripartita da Barcellona

3' min read

Key points

Greta Thunberg tries again
Four Italian parliamentarians are also on board.
Israeli Minister Ben-Gvir: For us they are terrorists
The vademecum in case of a standstill: "Don't talk and don't react"

3' min read

Arrival is planned for mid-September. The destination is Gaza. The goal: to break the naval blockade and deliver 250 tons of food and aid to the population of the Strip. The humanitarian relief mission Global Sumud Flotilla involves thirty ships and about 200 activists from 44 countries (from New Zealand to Malaysia via Colombia and Ireland). The name chosen for the initiative is not accidental: the Arabic word 'sumud' means 'firmness'.

After a first attempt failed due to bad weather, the departure from the port of Barcelona took place on 1 September but even then five boats were forced to turn back due to rough seas. Initially the date for the gathering in international waters off Tunisia with the other fleets of activists, coming from various Mediterranean ports, including Genoa, Sicily, Tunis and Greece (bringing the total to over 400 people and around 60 vessels) was Thursday 4 September, but the schedule was changed due to weather and sea conditions. The new date is 7 September. Initially the duration of the Mediterranean crossing was estimated at between 15 and 20 days with arrival in Gaza in mid-September, but bad weather could postpone the landing in Gaza to the end of the month.

Greta Thunberg tries again

The best known face among the participants is that of Greta Thunberg but there are also former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau and Brazilian activist Thiago Avila. The latter had participated last June with Thunberg in the Madleen mission that had the same objective but was intercepted by the Israeli army.

Four Italian parliamentarians were also on board

Also on board will be four Italian MPs from the Pd-M5s and Avs: Benedetta Scuderi and Annalisa Corrado (MEPs), Arturo Scotto (MP) and Marco Croatti (senator). In a letter addressed to Giorgia Meloni, the secretary of the PD Elly Schlein asked to be informed "on what the government intends to do to guarantee protection and safety for all the crew of the mission" heading to Gaza.

The Italian government "suggests the possibility of using alternative and more effective channels for the delivery" of aid to Gaza, but "having noted that the initiative may also have a symbolic or political purpose, and that it is therefore intended to be carried out regardless of the above, the Italian government assures that all measures will be taken to protect and ensure the safety of its compatriots abroad in similar situations, as has always been guaranteed so far". It was the response of PM Giorgia Meloni.

Israeli Minister Ben-Gvir: For us they are terrorists

Israel blocked two previous attempts by activists to deliver aid by sea in June and July. Israel's National Security Minister Ben-Gvir presented the government with a plan to stop the Global Sumud Flotilla: all arrested activists will be held in prolonged detention in Israel's Ketziot and Damon prisons, which are used to hold terrorists under maximum security conditions. Activists will be denied special privileges such as TV, radio, and specific food: "We will not allow those who support terrorism to live in comfort," said the ultra-rightist.

The vademecum in case of a standstill: "Don't talk and don't react"

Over the past few years, dozens of boats have tried to reach Gaza but have always been intercepted by the Israeli navy. The most dramatic case is that of the Mavi Marmara, the Turkish Freedom Flotilla ship trying to breach the naval blockade in which nine activists (eight Turkish citizens and one American of Turkish origin) were killed during an operation by Israeli special forces. The episode caused a bitter clash between Turkey and Israel, accompanied by a deterioration of diplomatic relations. A reconciliation agreement came in 2016, when Israel paid compensation of $20 million to the families of the victims.

'We fear for our safety, but we take courage. The Palestinian people teach us this,' admits the Italian spokeswoman of the Global Movement Maria Elena Delia. For its mission, the Global Sumud Flotilla has developed a vademecum for those who will board the boats: with the rules to follow in case of arrest or any kind of aggression. Among the instructions are not to react and to remain motionless with raised hands, not to make sudden gestures, not to address anyone, not to ask questions, not to try to start conversations, but only to answer precise questions. A team of lawyers was also made available to assist activists in case of arrest.