• A second flotilla departs Barcelona to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, involving approximately 30 boats.
• The 2026 Global Sumud Flotilla follows a previous mission that was halted by Israeli forces.
• The mission aims to demand accountability and open a humanitarian corridor for aid delivery.
• Participants include thousands of international volunteers coordinated with NGOs and Palestinian civil society.
• Activists highlight ongoing humanitarian crises exacerbated by Israel's blockade since 2007.

A second flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza is set to depart from the Spanish port of Barcelona, aiming to break the Israeli blockade. This mission, known as the Global Sumud Flotilla, involves around 30 boats loaded with medical supplies and other essential goods, with more vessels expected to join along the route towards Palestine, according to Reuters and South China Morning Post.

The flotilla is a continuation of previous efforts, following a first attempt in October 2025 that was intercepted by Israeli military forces, which arrested over 450 participants, including notable activist Greta Thunberg. Despite Israel's claims of not withholding supplies to Gaza, international aid organizations report a persistent shortage, with Palestinian officials underscoring the inadequacy of the aid currently reaching the territory, as detailed by Reuters and South China Morning Post.

The mission reportedly aligns with goals articulated by activists, who emphasize the need to “open a humanitarian corridor so the aid delivery organizations can arrive.” Saif Abukeshak, a member of the flotilla’s organizing committee, highlighted the critical nature of this endeavor, echoing sentiments about the need for international humanitarian law compliance, as articulated by Reuters and Al Jazeera.

This initiative is bolstered by a significant increase in participation, with about 1,000 volunteers from 70 countries, and is supported by a coalition of international NGOs, including Greenpeace and Open Arms, aimed at raising awareness and supporting Palestinian civil society organizations. Pablo Castilla, a spokesperson for the flotilla, emphasized the mission's commitment to "condemn international complicity in the genocide committed by Israel in Gaza," and to demand accountability, noted in reports from Al Jazeera.

This follows a moment marked by declining international attention on Gaza, which activists warn is being exploited by Israel to intensify its blockade, expand settlements, and escalate the occupation. The prolonged blockade, which has been in place since 2007, has led to catastrophic humanitarian conditions, displacing approximately 1.5 million of Gaza's 2.4 million residents in the wake of recent military actions, as outlined by Al Jazeera.