Global Sumud Flotilla Sails from Barcelona to Aid Gaza

Activists from around the world launched a large-scale maritime mission on Sunday to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and challenge Israel's naval blockade of the territory, departing from the Spanish port of Barcelona amid rough seas that delayed some vessels.

The Global Sumud Flotilla, involving approximately 70 boats and nearly 1,000 volunteers from over 70 countries, carries food, medical supplies, school bags, stationery, and other essentials for Palestinian children. Organizers coordinated the effort with Palestinian civil society groups, maritime security experts, and international nongovernmental organizations, including Greenpeace and Open Arms. The Greenpeace vessel Arctic Sunrise provides technical support, while Open Arms focuses on emergency response. Additional boats from ports like Marseille in France are expected to join en route, with the convoy planning a stop in southern Italy for training before heading toward Gaza around April 20.

Pablo Castilla, a flotilla spokesperson, said at a press conference in Barcelona that the mission aims to highlight the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and push for greater international accountability. "The main goal is to condemn...