Global Freedom Flotilla to Sail for Gaza in August to Break Israeli Siege

Watan-On Wednesday, the Joint Coordination for Palestine and the Anti-Normalization Network, along with a number of partner organizations, announced the launch of the Global Freedom Flotilla, a maritime initiative involving ships from across the world that will sail to Gaza in an attempt to break the Israeli siege.

During a press conference, the participants declared: “These attempts will not stop as long as Gaza remains under siege and as long as there are people defending humanitarian causes. This time, ships will depart from various parts of the world toward Gaza.”

Wael Nawar, a member of the Joint Coordination for Palestine, told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that they are preparing to sail toward Gaza with dozens of ships expected to set out from multiple international ports, including North Africa and Europe.

He explained that many partners will arrive in Tunisia starting in early August to prepare for the Maghreb and global segments of the flotilla. “Attempts to break the siege via land failed, despite raising awareness of the blockade,” he said, “but were ultimately stopped. The maritime route is different; this time we aim to overcome the obstacles that blocked us in the past.”

Nawar added that the fleet will consist of North African and international vessels, and registration is open to activists, politicians, journalists, and influencers—especially from the Arab world. “Their participation offers moral and physical protection to the ships,” he noted.

Voices from the Flotilla

Turkiya Al-Shabi, president of the “Million Rural Women” association and participant in the flotilla, stated:“The siege on Gaza has not ended, and the Israeli occupation’s violations—including mass starvation—are ongoing. That’s why we must return to breaking the blockade.”

She added:“As long as hearts beat with humanity and the compass still points to Palestine, the attempts will never stop. The genocide that has lasted nearly 649 days, causing over 60,000 deaths, must end. We’ll continue defending Gaza and every area threatened by this occupying entity.”

Dr. Mohamed Amin, a former participant in the land-based “Caravan of Steadfastness,” emphasized:“We are entering a new chapter in this resistance journey that began after October 7. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic, and we must take the initiative again.”

He added that their earlier land convoy faced many barriers but succeeded in sending key messages—especially against Arab complicity with the siege.

“This time, the confrontation will be direct—between the flotilla and the Zionist entity itself,” he said.

“Borders are illusions, and they vanish when the will of the people is unbreakable.”

• The Global Freedom Flotilla 2025 echoes past attempts like the Mavi Marmara in 2010, which ended in deadly Israeli violence and global outrage.

• This flotilla comes amid intensified Israeli bombing of Gaza and new reports of mass starvation, displacement, and civilian deaths, following the war that began after October 7, 2024.

• The movement is not only humanitarian but deeply political, as it challenges Israel’s blockade, the inaction of Arab states, and broader normalization policies in the region.

• Tunisia, where much of the organization is centered, has become a hub for anti-normalization activism, reflecting growing regional support for Palestinian resistance.

• The organizers’ call for politicians, influencers, and journalists to join the flotilla also reflects an effort to leverage public visibility and international media pressure to deter Israeli attacks on the fleet.