Over 1,000 people welcome Thunberg’s Global Sumud Flotilla in Tunisia PHOTO

Several vessels from the so-called Thunberg flotilla, part of the broader Global Sumud Flotilla, arrived in Tunisia on the evening of September 7 and docked at the port of Sidi Bou Said. 

Around a thousand local activists gathered on the waterfront to greet them, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

Organisers say that by September 10, additional vessels from North Africa are expected to join the Spanish contingent of the flotilla, although these have been delayed due to “technical and logistical reasons.”

The combined flotilla is reportedly preparing to sail from Tunisia into the eastern Mediterranean, aiming to break the maritime blockade of Gaza. Previous attempts over the years have not succeeded. The flotilla’s flagship is identified as the vessel Handala.

Participants have previously raised concerns about drones monitoring their movements, and have conducted drills in case their vessels are intercepted.

Initially, the flotilla was expected to comprise roughly 90 ships representing 44 countries, with an anticipated arrival off the Gaza coast around September 14–15. These plans now appear delayed, and the flotilla is likely to be smaller than first indicated.

Pro-Palestinian activists say they intend to deliver humanitarian aid, including food, water, and medical supplies, and are calling for safe passage to Gaza and the opening of a maritime humanitarian corridor. While aid continues to reach Gaza by land and air, flotilla participants claim that residents remain hungry.

This will be the fourth attempt in 2025 to breach the blockade and is described by organisers as the largest such operation in 18 years.

The blockade of Gaza was imposed after Hamas seized power in the territory through a military takeover in 2007.

The current campaign, officially named the “Global Sumud Flotilla” – reflecting the Palestinian concept of steadfastness – succeeds the earlier “Freedom Flotilla” initiatives. Among the most prominent participants is 22-year-old Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, who has taken part in similar efforts before.

In June, the Israeli Defence Forces intercepted the yacht Madleen, which was attempting to break the blockade and reach Gaza. The vessel was seized by the Shayetet 13 naval special forces and directed to the Ashdod port. Participants, including Thunberg, were later transported to Ben Gurion Airport and deported from Israel.

By Aghakazim Guliyev