The Sumud Flotilla has resumed sailing toward Gaza in its mission to break the blockade, after deciding yesterday to return its ships to Barcelona due to “strong winds.” More than 300 activists were on board when the mission was briefly halted.
This morning, the Flotilla explained that radio and communications were down on most ships. “After a heavy night in an electromagnetic storm, some boats were damaged and forced to turn back. Others have lost radio completely. Right now we only have line of sight with about 14 vessels—no comms,” the statement on X read.
Despite these setbacks, the organizers stressed: “We keep moving. 3.2 knots across the Mediterranean, en route to Tunis, where more boats will join the mission to Gaza.”
In another statement addressing the weather delay, the flotilla explained that “Due to extreme weather conditions last night, five of our smaller vessels turned back for safety reasons. We are relieved to confirm that everyone is safe and accounted for, and the mission continues.”
“When small civilian vessels must do the work that governments have failed to do, sailing to break the siege and end the genocide, challenges like these are common. If even one of the complicit governments sent their far more capable ships to Gaza, these obstacles would not fall on ordinary people,” their statement added.
The organizers noted that more ships from Tunisia, Greece, and Italy are expected to join the coming days to “stand united in breaking Israel’s illegal siege with a humanitarian and nonviolent mission.”
Updating on the convoy’s numbers after the mission’s delay, the flotilla reported that “On September 1, 24 ships sailed from Barcelona in the evening. Five ships were forced to return, while 19 continue the mission.”
Detention looms upon landing
On Sunday, Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir presented a plan to stop what he described as the largest flotilla to head toward Gaza, with activists from 44 countries.
Ben-Gvir presented his plan to the cabinet, alongside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, defense minister Yoav Gallant, foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar, and strategic affairs minister Ron Dermer.
Under his proposal, all activists on the flotilla would be arrested and detained in Israel’s Ketziot and Damon prisons—facilities particularly reserved for Palestinian detainees—under strict conditions usually reserved for those accused of militant activity.
According to Ben-Gvir's plan, activists would face long detentions and be denied privileges such as television, radio, and dietary requirements.“After spending weeks in detention under harsh conditions, supporters of terror would think twice before attempting another such flotilla,” warned Ben-Gvir.
The flotilla’s mission is to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, break the illegal blockade, and draw international attention to the humanitarian crisis endured by Palestinians, according to the International Committee to Break the Siege on Gaza.
Israel has long attacked international efforts to pierce through its siege on the Gaza Strip. In 2010, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition's Mavi Marmara mission was attacked by Israeli occupation forces that stormed the ship, killing 10 people and wounding dozens more.
In May this year, Israeli drones attacked the Conscience ship, part of the Freedom Flotilla, near Malta as it sailed toward Gaza. In June, the coalition reported that Israeli occupation forces intercepted the Madleen ship as it attempted to deliver aid after departing Sicily in June. Activists on board were detained and deported. The Handala ship faced the same fate.
Today, the Sumud Flotilla confirms, “We remain steadfast in our commitment to reach Gaza.”
