Greta Thunberg-Led Global Sumud Flotilla: What Is It?
Global Sumud Flotilla, led by Greta Thunberg. Sometimes referred to as the Global Freedom Flotilla, it is an international, civil society-led maritime initiative launched in mid-2025. Its goal is to break the Israeli blockade on Gaza. It is named after the Arabic word "Sumud," meaning "steadfastness" or "resilience."
According to the latest information, the flotilla is located about 370 kilometres (200 nautical miles) from Gaza's coast in the Sumud Flotisha. Participants are consciously monitoring everything, and each vessel in the flotilla has food, medicine and other essential aid stored. Despite security risks, the flotilla's members are proceeding calmly and alertly on their journey.
Considering the security and political situation, participants fear that Israeli forces could stop or intercept the flotilla at any moment. However, the flotilla's leaders and participants have emphasised that this mission is carrying only humanitarian aid. In the coming days, the flotilla will advance towards Gaza's coast, where humanitarian aid will be distributed.
Who is Global Sumud Flotilla
On the organisation's website, they introduce themselves as: We are a united group of ordinary people; including organisers, humanitarians, doctors, artists, clergy, advocates and sailors from various professions. We primarily believe in human dignity and the power of non-violent movement, and we work in faith with this mantra.
The introduction further states: We collectively launched a global movement over land, sea and air last June. And we are returning this summer with a united strategy; where there is unprecedented global coordination with an unwavering goal.
This organisation has been built on the foundation of the Palestinian long-standing resistance struggle and international solidarity. Though we hold different nationalities, religions and political beliefs, one truth has united us: the blockade and genocide must end. We are independent, international and not affiliated with any government or political party. Our conviction revolves around justice, freedom and human life, and through this, we seek to achieve our goals.
According to information, this initiative began in July 2025 during the Gaza war; organised by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, Global Movement to Gaza, and Magreb Sumud Flotilla among other organisations. It involves more than 50 vessels and thousands of participants from over 44 countries; making it the largest citizen-led fleet in history. Before 2010, some efforts to break the Israeli blockade were successful, but since then, the ships have been seized or attacked by Israeli forces. Most recently, in May, June and July 2025, drone attack incidents occurred on several ships. In September, news emerged of three drone attacks on the flotilla. In response, three vessels were sent for assistance.
The flotilla began its journey in late August 2025, with convoys departing from Otanto, Genoa and Barcelona. In early September, convoys also started from Catania, Cyprus and Tunis. Some convoys were initially delayed due to strong winds and storms. On 3 September, the Italian convoy reached Sicily, and the Tunisian ships converged in Tunis. On 7 September, when a part of the Spanish convoy arrived in northern Tunisia, a major ship caught fire in the early hours of 9 September, suspected to be the result of a drone attack. The following night, a second arson attack occurred on another ship. On 19 September, the Spanish and Tunisian convoys merged in Sicily and set off for Greece. On 22 September, the Greek convoy departed from Milos towards Crete and arrived the next day.
This initiative has received support from more than a dozen foreign ministers, Italian politicians and political parties, parliament members from Spain and Portugal, Colombian President Gustavo Petro, and Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories.
Why So Much Discussion?
Israel has declared the flotilla has entered its danger zone. Croatian lawyer Morana Miljanovic has warned that there is no legal right to seize civilian ships in international waters or Israel's territorial waters unless there is proof of a crime or security threat. Humanitarian aid: The flotilla is carrying only food and medicine, so it is a purely humanitarian endeavour. Even if there is a political motive, there is no legal basis for detaining a humanitarian flotilla.
In the current situation, all flotilla participants are safely on board the ships. In the coming days, the flotilla will reach Gaza's coast and distribute humanitarian aid. However, due to political and military sensitivities, there is a possibility of drawing the attention of the international community and escalating diplomatic tensions.
In one word, the Global Sumud Flotilla is not just a humanitarian mission; it is a confluence of international waters, human rights, international law and political sensitivities, which is currently at the centre of discussions.
