Barcelona Spain — On August 31, 2025, Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg embarked on the Global Sumud Flotilla, a humanitarian mission aimed at breaking Israel’s 15-year naval blockade of Gaza.
The flotilla, comprising dozens of boats, departed from Barcelona’s port, with thousands of supporters waving Palestinian flags and chanting slogans like “Free Palestine” and “It’s not a war, it’s genocide” .
The mission, named “Sumud” (Arabic for “resilience”), seeks to deliver essential aid to Gaza, where over 63,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, and parts of the region are facing famine due to a prolonged border closure .
Before departure, Thunberg criticized the international community’s failure to uphold international law and emphasized the mission’s challenge against systemic violence. She stated,
“The story is not at all about the mission we are about to embark on. The story is about the people of Gaza” .
This marks Thunberg’s second attempt to reach Gaza. In June 2025, she was among activists detained by Israeli forces after intercepting their aid ship in international waters. Despite the setback, she remains committed to highlighting the humanitarian crisis in Gaza .
Organizers of the flotilla, including Palestinian activist Saif Abukeshek, have criticized global leaders for failing to pressure Israel to allow aid into Gaza. They argue that the blockade has led to severe humanitarian consequences, including widespread food shortages .
Additional vessels carrying aid from Italy, Greece, and Tunisia are expected to join the flotilla as it makes its way toward Gaza. The mission aims to open a humanitarian corridor and end what organizers describe as the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people.
