Flotilla renews Gaza aid efforts to break Israeli blockade
The first edition of the Global Sumud Flotilla set sail from Barcelona, Spain, on August 31, 2025. (Albert Llop/AFP)
The Global Sumud Flotilla has announced a new Gaza mission, vowing the biggest humanitarian operation in history, according to The New Arab plus agencies on February 6th.
The Global Sumud Flotilla announced on February 5th that it will launch what it described as “the largest humanitarian operation in history” to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza by land and sea, with a coordinated effort set for March involving thousands of activists from more than 100 countries.
The initiative, scheduled to officially begin on March 29th, will combine a naval flotilla with a land-based humanitarian convoy operating simultaneously. More than 1,000 doctors, nurses and healthcare workers are expected to take part, alongside teachers, engineers, reconstruction teams and investigators documenting war crimes and environmental destruction.
In a statement published on X, the group said, “We announce the launch of the largest coordinated humanitarian operation in history for Palestine.” It added that the mobilisation would bring together “[t]housands of volunteers from more than 100 countries in a peaceful and coordinated response to the genocide, siege, starvation, and systematic destruction of civilian life perpetrated by Israel in Gaza.”
The announcement comes as Israel continues to disregard key humanitarian provisions of the ceasefire agreement in force since October 10th, 2025, particularly those related to fuel deliveries, humanitarian aid and the entry of debris removal equipment, amid worsening conditions in the besieged enclave.
This announcement comes despite the ceasefire entering its second phase in January 2026, with Israel accused of daily violations resulting in civilian deaths and injuries. Israel seized control of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing in southern Gaza in May 2025, imposing a tight blockade that has allowed only minimal fuel and aid into the territory. Although the crossing reportedly reopened on February 2nd, 2026, Palestinians returning from Egypt have described continued restrictions, mistreatment and harassment.
Israel has previously intercepted vessels bound for Gaza, seizing ships and detaining international activists before deporting them. On October 1st, 2025, Israeli forces attacked 42 vessels linked to the Sumud Flotilla in international waters, detaining activists.
The planned March operation marks the flotilla’s continued efforts to reach Gaza, as the organisers renew their push to challenge the blockade and draw international attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The New Arab plus agencies, Maghrebi.org
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