Hamas hails activists taking part in Gaza flotilla to break Israeli siege 

The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has expressed its appreciation for participants in the second mission of the Global Sumud Flotilla, praising their efforts to break the Israeli blockade on the besieged Gaza Strip.

In a statement issued on Monday evening, the group described the initiative as “an expression of commitment to the values of justice and humanity, and resolute opposition to the unjust blockade imposed on more than two million Palestinians.”

The movement said the flotilla underscores the legitimacy of the Palestinian cause and the right of Palestinians to live with dignity.

“The participation of nearly 1,000 volunteer activists from dozens of countries and their defiance of Israeli measures underscore the failure of deterrence policies to halt attempts to break the blockade,” the statement said.

Hamas also called on the international community, the United Nations, and its institutions to provide protection for the flotilla and to prevent any interception by Israeli forces.

The Barcelona-based fleet, which last sailed in September with 42 boats and 462 participants, set sail again on April 12 with nearly double the scale, around 70 boats carrying close to 1,000 volunteers from 70 countries.

Flotilla spokesperson Pablo Castilla said the mission aims “to condemn international complicity in what is happening in Gaza, demand accountability, and open a humanitarian corridor by sea and land.”

Formed in 2025 by NGOs, activists, and volunteers from multiple countries, the Sumud Flotilla launched its second mission from the port of Barcelona toward the Gaza Strip on Sunday.

Separately, around 20 French boats departed Marseille on Saturday in a parallel show of solidarity with Gaza.

Cheered by roughly a thousand supporters gathered at the docks, the small sailing vessels departed amid chants of “Gaza, Marseille is with you,” marking a growing multinational effort.

The vessels are expected to link up with the wider Global Sumud Flotilla, which is projected to bring together around 100 boats from across the Mediterranean in the coming days.

“The goal is to give Palestine more visibility. It’s not something we’re talking about enough right now because of the international context,” said a crew member aboard one of the Marseille boats.

A larger contingent of about 30 boats was scheduled to depart Barcelona on Sunday carrying medical supplies and other essential aid, but was reportedly delayed due to bad weather.

Additional vessels are expected to join along the way, with the flotilla planning to head toward Gaza around 20 April, following a week-long stopover in southern Italy for non-violence training.

The Global Sumud Flotilla, named after a Gazan fisherman, is part of a growing international effort to challenge Israel’s longstanding inhuman blockade and deliver humanitarian aid to the enclave.

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