TUNIS, Tunisia

Participants of the Global Sumud Flotilla, an international maritime initiative launched to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza and to deliver humanitarian aid, have begun gathering in Tunisia.

Vessels in the flotilla, which set sail from Spain and Italy, will meet ships joining from Tunisia in Tunisian waters before proceeding toward Gaza.

“The Global Sumud Flotilla is, in fact, a continuation of earlier attempts that began with the Mavi Marmara, followed by the Madleen and Hanzala ships. This time, nearly 1,000 activists from 44 countries are attempting once again to break the blockade. As the Turkish delegation, we are proud to be part of this blessed initiative,” Aycin Kantoglu, a member of the Turkish delegation, told Anadolu.

Underlining the historic nature of the effort, Kantoglu said: “I believe this will go down in history as the first time in the world that nearly 1,000 activists from dozens of countries have come together to form a flotilla at sea. From the perspective of civil activism, it is an honor to take part. We are here to do our part to restore human dignity.”

‘We are not afraid of the occupier’

Kantoglu noted that strict measures have been taken to ensure the safety of the activists and the flotilla but could not provide details about the Turkish delegation members, the port of departure, or the timing.

She said that people around the world left with fear as they have been watching even children and babies brutally killed by Israel in nearly two years.

“Our patience has run out — from now on, there is no fear. We are not afraid of Israel. We are not afraid of the occupier’s army, nor of what they intend to do,” she said.

She said that she believes the blockade will end this year.

‘This is a matter of conscience’

A Turkish TV presenter, Ikbal Gurpinar also is waiting for flotilla to sail. Speaking to Anadolu, she said that she has been involved in humanitarian work for Palestine and Gaza for years.

“This is a matter of conscience. We could no longer bear just to watch children dying and parents grieving for two years. That is why we joined this honorable initiative. May God bless everyone involved. Hopefully, we will be allowed to board, and we came here with that excitement,” she said.

Emphasizing that this is a peaceful action, Gurpinar said that people around the world is disturbed by the situation in Gaza “but a spark is needed.”

“We are setting out without weapons, ammunition, or sharp objects. Our aim is to show that this can be resolved peacefully and for all of humanity to see. Hopefully, we will succeed,” she said.

“Israel now acts so recklessly, as if it were divine, thinking it can do whatever it wants. But people of conscience around the world — activists from over 44 countries — are aware of this oppression. Their actions must be seen. That is why I am here, honored, and grateful to everyone who made this possible,” she added.

‘This initiative is based on civil and peaceful resistance’

Dr. Mohammed Amin Bennur, a Tunisian human rights activist and member of the flotilla’s Tunisian delegation, highlighted the initiative’s international scope, saying: “This is not an individual effort but an international initiative requiring coordination between different states and institutions.”
“Preparations lasted more than three months and were very complex. Ship preparations, team coordination, sea route planning, and engagement with different countries required intensive work,” he added.

Bennur said the flotilla’s route started in Spain, passed through Italy and other points to assemble off Tunisia.

“Tunisia will be the final departure point for the convoy heading to Gaza. This is a historic honor for Tunisia and its people. Among the hundreds of participants are lawyers, doctors, and civilians from Europe, Asia, Brazil, the Gulf, and North Africa (Tunisia, Libya, Algeria, Mauritania, Morocco). The goal is to deliver humanitarian aid to the nearly 2 million people living under blockade in Gaza,” he said.

Bennur also said that the participants are carrying no weapons as the aim is solely to support the people of Gaza.

“This initiative represents the joint efforts of activists and citizens from around the world. Its goal is to break the blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid. It is not only a humanitarian duty but also a moral and ethical responsibility,” he added.

The concept of Sumud, an Arabic word meaning “steadfastness” or “unshakable determination,” emerged among Palestinians after the 1967 Six-Day War to describe resistance through persistence — staying on their land, preserving Palestinian identity and culture, and engaging in nonviolent civil disobedience and institution-building. In artistic depictions related to Palestine, the concept is often symbolized by the olive tree and peasant woman.