Global Sumud Flotilla begins voyage to Gaza from Barcelona

The Global Sumud Flotilla set off from Barcelona on Sunday in a symbolic show of support for Gaza, but its journey into international waters was delayed due to poor weather conditions, Spain’s public broadcaster RTVE reported.

Thiago Avila, a coordinator with the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, said the decision was made for safety reasons. “Due to weather conditions, our mission will sail from this port today, but will not be sailing to international waters because we cannot make this journey safely today,” he explained.

He said the mission would move forward in stages rather than a single continuous journey. “We are leaving here, going to Gaza in different steps, maybe sometimes having to stop a little bit to wait for the weather,” Avila said, adding that flexibility would be key as the convoy progresses. He noted that both safety concerns and technical factors would guide decisions at sea.

The Global Sumud Flotilla aims to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza, deliver humanitarian aid, and draw global attention to conditions in the territory.

The convoy departed from Barcelona with around 70 vessels and nearly 1,000 participants representing about 70 countries. Organisers say it is significantly larger than a previous mission in September 2025, which involved 42 boats and 462 participants.