Global Sumud Flotilla sets out on last leg of journey to Gaza

The Global Sumud Flotilla, carrying critical aid to Gaza, began the final leg of its planned route after departing ports across Tunisia this weekend.

The first of over 40 boats now at sea left Gammarth port on Saturday, with the final boat departing Bizerte on Monday morning.

One week after arriving in Tunis, 16 of the fleet’s original 24 boats resumed their journey east from Barcelona, carrying aid and international passengers in a bid to open a humanitarian corridor and break Israel’s siege on Gaza, which is illegal under international law.

At least 422 people in Gaza have died from malnutrition caused by Israel’s blockade, since famine was declared in August.

But the flotilla, which is carrying food, water, medicine and other critical supplies, has been joined by a handful of additional boats that assembled in Tunis, where over 50 new passengers undertook mandatory non-violence training in order to join the crew.

The departure from Tunis was delayed by 11 days, after two ships were attacked by drones and a number of assembled vessels failed to meet the organisers’ safety threshold.

Several of the flotilla’s original boats sustained heavy storm damage before reaching Tunis, and are now unable to continue the journey.