We Are Not Afraid of Israel’s Threats to Break Gaza’s Siege
webangah News agency, International Desk, Elnaz Rahmatnejad: The International Solidarity Fleet “Sumud,” comprising over 70 ships from 44 countries, set sail on august 30, 2025. The fleet aims to deliver humanitarian aid, food, and medicine while amplifying the voice of the Palestinian people globally as it moves toward breaking the blockade of Gaza.
The fleet includes various international coalitions such as the Freedom Flotilla, Global Gaza Movement, Sumud Convoy, and Malaysia’s Al-Sumud Nusantara. Notable participants include Greta Thunberg, Mariana Mortagua, and other environmental and human rights activists. Organizers have announced that dozens more vessels from Tunisia and Mediterranean countries will join this mission by September 4.
The ships departed from ports in Barcelona, Genoa, Tunis, and Greece with thousands gathered in Barcelona to support their departure. They aim to reach Gaza by mid-September following international waters near Tunisia, Libya, Egypt’s coastlines toward Gaza. The Israeli occupation regime has warned it will detain activists aboard these vessels.
According to tiago Avila from Brazil – an activist involved – this operation surpasses all previous efforts in participant numbers and ship count.
Hassan Aghajani-international Affairs Representative for Hozeh Honari (Art Bureau) and one of this maritime campaign’s participants-told mehr: “Sumud is the third popular maritime convoy moving toward lifting Gaza’s blockade while raising global public awareness about Palestinians’ plight.”
He added: “The first convoy was Madeline Ship; social activists headed toward gaza’s shores but were targeted by Israeli drones between Italy and Mali. The second convoy was Hanthala Ship with twelve social activists onboard; they reached occupied Palestinian waters but were attacked by Israeli soldiers who arrested them before their eventual return home.”
Aghajani stressed that grassroots action remains the sole path to combating Gazans’ siege and saving Palestinian women and children.Sumud draws upon previous sea convoy experiences carrying dozens of boats en route to lift blockades while delivering vital medical supplies and food aid directly into Gaza.
This participant explained: “People who committed from Europe joined this mission at Barcelona port then proceeded towards tunisia where additional participants arrived from Africa Asia America regions.”
Aghajani described sumud meaning steadfastness: ”Participants range widely-from Hollywood actors joining alongside social activists-and their numbers swell daily at Tunis where they prepare before sailing toward occupied Palestine.”
“They receive training anticipating possible scenarios imposed by Israel-from movement restrictions up through attacks or blockades-so crews can overcome obstacles ensuring aid reaches people locked inside Gaza’s besieged strip,” he noted.
In conclusion , Hassan Aghajani emphasized : “The Sumud movement is entirely peaceful , grassroots-based . Crews are religiously diverse ; Muslims alongside non-Muslims participating together . All openly declare they do not fear Israel ‘s threats , stating ‘our lives are no more valuable than those suffering under siege or genocide in gaza.’ We cannot endure comfort when Gazans live trapped under relentless oppression.”
