Largest Gaza Aid Flotilla Departs Amid Worsening Famine

Boats from the flotilla seeking to break the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip are moored at the port of Barcelona on 31 August 2025 (AFP/Lluis Gene)

Nisaba Media (Barcelona, Spain): On August 31, 2025, the Global Sumud Flotilla, the largest civilian-led maritime aid mission to Gaza in years, departed from Barcelona, carrying essential humanitarian supplies to a region facing a deepening crisis. Over 50 vessels from 44 countries are participating, including activists, lawmakers, and medical professionals committed to providing relief and drawing international attention to the ongoing siege.

The flotilla’s name, “Sumud,” meaning “perseverance” in Arabic, reflects its mission to support Palestinians through nonviolent solidarity.

The departure comes as the United Nations officially declared a famine in Gaza, where more than 270 people, including 112 children, have died from malnutrition since October 2023.

The situation has been exacerbated by Israeli military operations, including airstrikes on residential areas, intensifying the humanitarian emergency.

Organizers emphasize that the mission is lawful under international maritime law and aims to deliver aid directly to those most in need.

The flotilla is expected to navigate approximately 3,000 kilometers across the Mediterranean and reach Gaza by mid-September. Organizers have pledged to continue their efforts, highlighting the urgent need for humanitarian access and international support to alleviate suffering and address the escalating crisis.