Nearly 40 boats departed from Barcelona, while the rest will join from other Mediterranean ports as they sail eastward. Organizers of the Global Sumud Flotilla say that more than 70 boats and 1,000 people from around the world will participate. Campaigners describe the flotilla as the largest civilian-led mobilization of its kind against Israel's actions in the Palestinian territory. Bad weather had forced organizers to delay their departure, which was originally planned for April 12.
Activists hope that their latest mission will revive attention to the plight of Palestinians living in Gaza. Last week, Gaza marked six months since a ceasefire made the most intense fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas-led militants stop. Since then, Israeli attacks have killed more than 700 people, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Around 2 million Gaza residents are still living in ruins with shortages of food and medicine, and only limited aid entering through a single, Israeli-controlled border post.
Israel and Egypt have imposed varying degrees of a blockade on Gaza since Hamas seized power from rival Palestinian forces in 2007. Israel says the blockade is needed to prevent Hamas from importing arms. Critics say the blockade amounts to collective punishment of Gaza’s Palestinian population.
The Global Sumud Flotilla's latest efforts come less than a year after another attempt was foiled by Israeli authorities. Last fall, dozens of boats sailed close to Gaza, with one even crossing the 12-nautical-mile line marking the divide from international waters to territorial waters off Gaza. Those boats were all ultimately intercepted and seized or turned away.
Those sailing last year, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, were arrested, imprisoned and deported by Israel. Participants from last year claimed Israeli authorities abused them while in detention. Israeli authorities denied accusations of abuse by participants from last year.
The interception at sea last year had been broadcast live by onboard cameras, sparking worldwide protests at the time. Attention on Gaza has since waned, with eyes focused now on the latest Iran war upending the Middle East and roiling global markets. A Palestinian activist and member of the flotilla's global steering committee said at a press conference that they sail because governments have failed and they refuse to be a helpless society. The specific aid being carried by the flotilla and how it will be delivered to Gaza remain unclear, as do the exact route and timeline for the journey. It is also unknown how Israeli authorities plan to respond to this flotilla attempt or the current status and location of the flotilla after its departure from Barcelona.