Global Sumud Flotilla
 | |
| Abbreviation | GSF |
|---|---|
| Formation | July 2025 |
| Founders |
|
| Type |
|
| Purpose | Break the Gaza blockade, deliver humanitarian aid and establish a people-led humanitarian corridor |
Region served | Gaza Strip, Mediterranean region |
| Membership | Activists from 44 countries; over 15,000 registered participants (as of August 2025) |
| Website | globalsumudflotilla |
| Blockade of the Gaza Strip |
|---|
| Crossings |
| 2004–2009 |
| 2010 Freedom Flotilla |
| 2011–2022 |
| 2023–present |
| Groups involved |
Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF; Arabic: أسطول الصمود العالمي, romanized: Usṭūl aṣ-Ṣumūd al-ʿĀlamī) is an international, civil society-led maritime initiative launched in mid-2025, aiming to break the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip. It is named from ṣumūd, Arabic for 'steadfastness' or 'resilience'.[1]
Formation
GSF emerged in July 2025, amid the Gaza genocide, through the consolidation of multiple activist and humanitarian movements—including the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, Global Movement to Gaza, Maghreb Sumud Flotilla, and Sumud Nusantara—into a coordinated maritime effort.[2][3][4]
The flotilla intends to be the largest civilian-led maritime convoy in history, comprising dozens of vessels of varying sizes departing from multiple ports, particularly around the Mediterranean, and converging toward Gaza. As of early August 2025, organizers reported involvement from activists, doctors and artists representing 44 countries, who include Greta Thunberg, Thiago Ávila, Yasemin Acar (notably participants in the June 2025 Gaza Freedom Flotilla), Susan Sarandon, Gustaf Skarsgård and Liam Cunningham.[2][3][4][5][6][7][8]
Preparations and voyage
The flotilla is scheduled to set sail between August and September 2025, with some convoys departing from Spain on August 31 and others from Tunisia on September 4.[9] Preparatory actions include registration of over 15,000 participants, along with planned training sessions, solidarity events, and camps near departure points.[9][10][11]
See also
References
- ^ Thunberg, Greta [@gretathunberg]; (10 August 2025). "The Global Sumud Flotilla". Retrieved 10 August 2025 – via Instagram.
- ^ a b "Largest civilian flotilla to challenge 'Israeli' Gaza blockade in late August". Roya News. 8 August 2025. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
- ^ a b "Massive civilian flotilla set to sail for Gaza to break Israeli siege". Radio Havana Cuba. 9 August 2025. Retrieved 10 August 2025 – via Radio Rebelde.
- ^ a b "Massive civilian flotilla set to sail for Gaza late August to break Israeli siege". Middle East Monitor. 4 August 2025. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
- ^ "Activists from 44 Countries Plan Largest-Ever Gaza Aid Flotilla in September". Democracy Now!. 5 August 2025. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
- ^ "Greta Thunberg, activists plan new aid flotilla to Gaza". Khaleej Times. 11 August 2025. Retrieved 11 August 2025.
- ^ "Greta Thunberg and global activists to sail largest flotilla for Gaza to break Israeli blockade". The Online Citizen. 12 August 2025. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
- ^ "GLOBAL SUMUD FLOTILLA. A fine agosto e inizio settembre decine di imbarcazioni salperanno per Gaza". Pagine Esteri (in Italian). 11 August 2025. Retrieved 12 August 2025.
- ^ a b "On Avenue Habib Bourguiba: Awareness tent for Maghreb Sumud Flotilla to break Gaza siege". Tunis Afrique Presse. 9 August 2025. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
- ^ Dadjoo, Sahar (29 July 2025). "Exclusive: Activist says Sumud Flotilla unites 40 nations in renewed push against Gaza blockade". Tehran Times. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
- ^ Ávila, Thiago [@thiagoavilabrasil]; (12 August 2025). "Over 15.000 people have applied to join the @globalsumudflotilla to break the siege by sea and to break complicity mobilizing on land in over 44 countries!". Retrieved 12 August 2025 – via Instagram.
