Chicago – September 01, 2025
A large group of ships left Barcelona on Sunday, carrying humanitarian aid and activists to the Gaza Strip. This is the biggest effort yet to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza by sea. The ships are bringing food, water, and medicine to people in Gaza, where the situation has become critical due to an ongoing conflict.
Israel has recently stepped up its attacks on Gaza City, making it harder to deliver basic supplies. Food experts have warned that Gaza City is facing famine, with over half a million people suffering from extreme hunger.
The flotilla, called the Global Sumud Flotilla, includes about 20 boats and activists from 44 countries. They are calling for safe passage to deliver the aid and for the opening of a sea corridor to help Gaza. The nearly 23-month-long war has already killed over 63,000 people, including 332 Palestinians who have died from malnutrition, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
The flotilla is the largest attempt so far to break the 18-year Israeli blockade of Gaza. More ships from Italy and Tunisia will join the convoy in the coming days. Thousands of supporters gathered at the Barcelona pier to send off the ships, with many waving Palestinian flags and chanting slogans like “Free Palestine!” One of the boats, the Sirus, is over 100 years old.
The flotilla is expected to reach Gaza around September 14 or 15, with around 70 boats taking part in the final part of the journey.
