Dozens of boats carrying activists and humanitarian supplies set sail from Barcelona on Wednesday, marking the start of a large civilian-led effort to reach the Gaza Strip and draw renewed attention to conditions there.
Organizers said more than 70 vessels and around 1,000 participants from dozens of countries are expected to join the flotilla as it moves eastward across the Mediterranean.
The departure, initially delayed by bad weather, comes amid concerns that global focus on Gaza has diminished as regional tensions shift elsewhere.
Activists say the mission aims to both deliver aid and highlight the ongoing humanitarian crisis affecting Palestinians in the enclave.
Nearly 40 boats left directly from Barcelona, while others are expected to join from ports across the Mediterranean, forming what organizers describe as the largest mobilization of its kind.
The vessels are carrying food, medicine, and educational supplies, with support from groups including Greenpeace Spain and Open Arms.
Organizers said the effort is coordinated with civil society groups and maritime experts.
“We sail because governments have failed,” said Saif Abukeshek, a Palestinian activist involved in the initiative.
The flotilla follows a similar attempt less than a year ago, when dozens of boats were intercepted by Israeli authorities before reaching Gaza.
Participants in that mission were detained and later deported, while Israel denied allegations of mistreatment during detention.
Despite past setbacks, organizers say participation has increased significantly, reflecting growing international engagement.
The renewed effort comes six months after a ceasefire halted the most intense phase of fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas-led militants.
According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, more than 700 people have been killed in the territory since the ceasefire, with shortages of food and medicine persisting.
Around 2 million residents remain in heavily damaged areas, relying on limited aid entering through a single Israeli-controlled crossing.
Israel has maintained a blockade on Gaza since 2007, citing security concerns, while critics argue it restricts essential goods and movement.
Activists say the flotilla seeks to restore international attention to these conditions and push for expanded humanitarian access.
The mission unfolds against a backdrop of shifting geopolitical focus, which organizers believe has contributed to reduced scrutiny of the situation in Gaza.