The Global Sumud Flotilla of 2025 stands as a historic civilian maritime initiative that aimed to confront Israel’s blockade on Palestine through an internationally coordinated journey to the shores of Palestine. This article provides a recap of the series of events leading up to the interception of the 42 boats by Israeli military forces on international waters, and the kidnapping of 462 people; all unarmed.
The campaign began on Aug. 31, as nearly 20 vessels carrying activists, humanitarian professionals (including globally known Greta Thunberg) and essential supplies which have been withheld from the people of Palestine set sail from Barcelona harbor, cheered on by thousands of supporters. At the same time, additional boats departed from Italian and Tunisian ports. The launch of the Flotilla garnered international momentum, millions of people posted to social media platforms voicing their support for the humanitarian effort.
By Sept. 3, the Italian convoy reached Sicily and met with the vessels that departed from Tunisian ports. Spanish ships arrived in North Tunisia four days later. However, due to severe storms, the departure of the vessels were delayed. This is one of the many struggles the Flotilla had to endure in their effort to provide Palestinian people with necessities and trained doctors. Gaza has seen a shortage due to constant Israeli military bombardment that targets key hospitals in Palestine, such as the bombing of the Nasser Hospital on the 26th of August 2025 in southern Gaza which killed 20 people including journalists and health workers.
Early morning on Sept. 8 in Tunisian waters, a fire broke out on a key Spanish vessel from an Israeli drone strike. The following night, a second incendiary attack damaged another ship. Despite the attempts to stop aid from reaching Palestine, the Flotilla and activists on board pressed on and refused to halt their mission, openly stating multiple times that they are on a legal journey to provide aid and are completely unarmed.
The Spanish and Tunisian convoys merged in Sicily and sailed for Greece on Sept. 19, with the Greek convoy departing Milos for Crete on Sept 22. By the 28th, the united fleet completed final provisions in Crete, before setting sail towards Gaza in a high-risk area that is heavily monitored by Israeli and European warships. As the flotilla neared Gaza, international attention intensified. Demonstrations of solidarity erupted worldwide and mass protests in the United States, Spain, Italy, Colombia and more cheered on the Flotilla and the message it carries; the people want to see a stop to the Genocide and strategic starvation of the Palestinian people.
Beginning Oct. 1, Israeli naval forces began intercepting the Flotilla in international waters, first boarding boats early Wednesday evening. Reports and videos from the Global Sumud Flotilla boat show Israeli forces pointing guns at the activists, damaging communications equipment, blocking distress signals and arresting prominent activists from over 44 countries including parliamentarians and legal observers. Many boats were escorted to the Ashdod port, and over 450 people were detained.
Oct. 3 marked the boarding and seizure of the last remaining vessel, the Marinette, about 43 nautical miles from Gaza. This ended the fleet’s immediate mission and prompted worldwide condemnation and calls for further action. Despite the illegal and forced end of the effort, organizers immediately announced plans for future humanitarian convoys with the same mission.
On Oct. 4, 137 people that were aboard the abducted boats landed in Istanbul, Turkey. Notable Turkish journalist and Flotilla participant Ersin Celik accused the Israeli forces of the, ”Torture of Greta Thunberg” and described how she was, “Dragged on the ground” and, “Forced to kiss the Israeli flag.”
The Global Sumud Flotilla has inspired calls for an even larger initiative and joins a history of international solidarity efforts with Palestine dating back to 2010.
