Global Sumud flotilla sets sail from Barcelona with Malaysia and Indonesia joining Gaza mission
A civilian flotilla of over 70 vessels has set sail from Barcelona in a renewed bid to challenge Israel’s blockade on Gaza. Backed by activists from nearly 100 countries, including Malaysia and Indonesia, the mission combines aid delivery with global advocacy amid risks at sea.
- More than 70 vessels and thousands joined the Global Sumud Flotilla 2.0 from Barcelona.
- The mission aims to deliver aid and challenge Israel’s blockade on Gaza.
- Organisers warn of risks after a similar flotilla was intercepted in 2025.
An international civilian flotilla comprising more than 70 vessels and thousands of participants set sail from Barcelona on 12 April 2026, launching the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) 2.0 mission to challenge Israel’s blockade on Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid alongside a message of global solidarity.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, formed to break Israel’s blockade on the Gaza Strip, deliver humanitarian aid and raise global awareness about the enclave, is setting sail from Barcelona again after a year with significantly expanded participation, Anadolu reported.
Created in 2025 by NGO representatives, activists and volunteers from various countries, the flotilla is now launching its second mission to Gaza.
The Barcelona-based convoy, which last sailed in September with 42 boats and 462 participants, is departing on 12 April with nearly double the scale — more than 70 boats and close to 1,000 volunteers from around 70 countries.
The largest contingent in the fleet again comes from Spain.
The mission, involving participants from around 100 countries, combines maritime action with coordinated land-based mobilisation, advocacy and grassroots campaigns, organisers said.
The flotilla carries symbolic humanitarian supplies including medicines, food and clean water, while also pressing for “safe, unhindered humanitarian access” to Gaza.
According to Amnesty International, the Spring 2026 mission includes more than 70 boats and around 3,000 participants, including a dedicated medical contingent of 1,000 healthcare professionals aimed at supporting Gaza’s strained health system.
“The Global Sumud Flotilla is a powerful symbol of international solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza,” said Erika Guevara-Rosas of Amnesty International, adding that Israeli authorities “must ensure safe passage for these unarmed activists”.
The organisation also warned against a repeat of previous interceptions, stating: “There must be no repeat of Israel’s unlawful interceptions and arbitrary detentions that occurred in 2025.”
One of the flotilla’s spokespersons, Pablo Castilla, said the main goal of the initiative is “to condemn international complicity in what is happening in Gaza, demand accountability, and open a humanitarian corridor by sea and land.”
Castilla also expressed concern that global attention on Gaza had declined amid wider regional conflicts. “Israel has intensified the blockade on Gaza, restricted aid entry, expanded settlements, and accelerated land confiscation,” he said.
Route and scale of the mission
The flotilla departed from Port Vell in Barcelona and is scheduled to stop in Syracuse, Italy, and Lerapetra, Greece, before continuing the final 200 nautical miles towards Gaza.
Environmental group Greenpeace confirmed that its vessel, the Arctic Sunrise, would join the convoy, providing technical and operational maritime support to help ensure safe passage across the Mediterranean.
Eva Saldaña, executive director of Greenpeace Spain, said the organisation was “proud to answer the call” to join the mission, describing it as “a symbol of hope in action”.
Ghiwa Nakat of Greenpeace Middle East and North Africa added: “This flotilla is a call to governments around the world to end their silence, protect humanitarian action, and act with urgency and principle to uphold international law.”
Participation from Malaysia and Indonesia
The mission includes significant participation from Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia and Indonesia, with activists, vessels and civil society groups contributing to the international convoy.
Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari said the involvement of Malaysian participants reflected a broader global consensus against what he described as injustice towards Palestinians.
The delegation forms part of the Sumud Nusantara mission, which brings together participants from both Malaysia and Indonesia within the wider Global Sumud Flotilla framework.
“Malaysia stands firmly with Palestine. As expressed by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the support and prayers of the people will always accompany this struggle,” Amirudin said in a Facebook post.
From Indonesia, participation has been coordinated by the Global Peace Convoy Indonesia (GPCI), which mobilised public fundraising efforts to acquire three vessels — Tendenso, Altira and Magic Boat — now docked at Moll de la Fusta in Barcelona ahead of departure.
GPCI coordinator Maimon Herawati said the ships would sail under the Indonesian flag as a representation of national solidarity, adding that the naming of the vessels remained open to public input.
Proposed names include Kapal Farizal Ramadhon, Malahayati and Hasanuddin, honouring national figures and contributions.
Maimon said preparations for the 2026 mission had been more extensive compared with previous efforts, including vessel selection processes conducted across multiple ports since January to ensure safety and readiness.
Separately, Greenpeace Indonesia confirmed that Indonesian representatives are also part of the broader international contingent, joining activists from around 100 countries.
Leonard Simanjuntak, head of Greenpeace Indonesia, said the participation reflected strong public solidarity.
“Participation in the Global Sumud Flotilla is concrete proof of our commitment to peace and justice across environmental, social and economic dimensions,” he said.
Previous mission and risks at sea
The 2026 flotilla follows a previous attempt in September 2025 involving 42 vessels and 462 participants, which was intercepted by Israeli forces about 70 nautical miles off the Gaza coast.
Reports from that mission cited communication disruptions, drone surveillance and forced boarding of vessels.
Organisers acknowledged ongoing risks, including potential confrontations at sea, but said preparations for this year’s mission had been strengthened.
The flotilla sets out amid a deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where restrictions on aid and widespread displacement continue to affect the civilian population.
Amnesty International said the continued launch of such civilian missions reflects “the international community’s devastating inaction”.
“The fact that these civilian missions continue to sail in the first place is a direct indictment,” Guevara-Rosas said.
Organisers said the 2026 mission aims not only to deliver aid but also to increase international pressure to end the blockade and address the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
