Global Sumud Flotilla

 The Global Sumud Flotilla is a coordinated, nonviolent fleet of mostly small vessels sailing from ports across the Mediterranean to break the Israeli occupation's illegal siege on Gaza.

The word  sumud in Arabic means "steadfastness" or "resilience," it reflects both Palestinian resistance and international solidarity.

The Word Flotilla means Fleet of small vessels or boats. 

It is organized by several activist and humanitarian coalitions 

Origin History : The Israeli Occupation Force blocked the naval passage of Palestine in 2007.

• In June 2007, after violent clashes with the rival Fatah movement, Hamas took control of Gaza.

• Israel (and Egypt, on its Rafah border) responded by tightening restrictions on the movement of people and goods in and out of Gaza.

• Israel declared Gaza a “hostile entity.”

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2. Imposition of the Naval Blockade

• In September 2007, Israel formally announced a naval blockade around Gaza’s coastline.

• The Israeli navy prevents any vessel from entering or leaving Gaza’s territorial waters (out to 20 nautical miles, though fishing access was often reduced to 3–6 nautical miles).

• Official Israeli justification: to stop weapons smuggling to Hamas and other militant groups.

• Human rights groups and the UN criticized the blockade as collective punishment of Gaza’s 2+ million civilians.

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3. Impact on Gaza

• Severe restrictions on imports (fuel, building materials, medicines).

• Exports from Gaza were almost completely halted.

• Gaza’s fishing industry collapsed because fishermen were chased or fired upon if they went beyond the restricted zone.

• Combined with land restrictions (at crossings controlled by Israel and Egypt), the blockade caused major humanitarian crises — shortages of electricity, medicine, food, and freedom of movement.

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4. International Law Debate

• Israel argues the blockade is legal under international law, as a wartime measure against an armed group.

• The UN Fact-Finding Mission (Goldstone Report, 2009) and many NGOs argue it violates the Fourth Geneva Convention, since it amounts to collective punishment.

• The UN Palmer Report (2011) accepted Israel’s right to impose a blockade for security but criticized the excessive force used in enforcing it (e.g., against the 2010 Mavi Marmara flotilla).

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5. Civilian Responses: Flotillas

• Since 2008, international activists have organized flotillas to sail into Gaza:

• 2008 Free Gaza boats successfully entered Gaza five times before being blocked.

• 2010 Freedom Flotilla / Mavi Marmara: Israeli raid killed 9 activists (later 10), sparking global outrage.

• 2011–2018: smaller flotillas (including the Women’s Boat to Gaza).

• 2025 Global Sumud Flotilla: largest coordinated effort so far.

Composition & Preparations of 2025 Global Sumud Flotilla: 

More than 50 vessels are part of the flotilla, carrying around 497 participants, from over 46 countries. 

The flotilla carries humanitarian supplies — food, medicine, and other aid — though in symbolic amounts given the scale of Gaza’s needs.

Departures have been staged from ports in Spain (Barcelona), Italy (Genoa, Catania), Tunisia, Greece  . 

Objectives of Global Sumud Flotilla :

1. Break the Siege / Blockade — To challenge what organizers say is an illegal naval blockade of Gaza, which restricts access to the sea, humanitarian supplies, and more.

2. Operate Within Non-Violence & International Law — The organizers emphasize that participants are civilians, that the mission is peaceful, and that international humanitarian law should be respected, especially regarding collective punishment and blockades. 

3. Raise Global Awareness & Solidarity — Bringing together people from many countries to draw attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

4. Deliver Humanitarian Aid — Even though the amounts may be relatively small, the mission is not just symbolic; it's meant to provide relief. 

Current Status of Global Sumud Flotilla 2025 (as of Early October 2025):

Israeli forces have intercepted several of the flotilla’s boats. Some participants, including high-profile activists, are reported to have been detained.

Firstly The IDF attacked on the flotilla named Alma,  where The Swedish Greta Thunberg had the leading role. Reportedly all the crew members and participants are arrested by the Israeli Defence Force. There is another flotilla named conscience where  a Bangladeshi man named Shahidul Alam joined the movement. 

In fact, Shahidul Alam is the first Bangladeshi to participate in the Global Sumud Flotilla 2025. 

However, The Global Sumud Flotilla is a bold civil society initiative aimed at breaking what organizers call an illegal blockade of Gaza, delivering aid, and drawing global attention to one of the world’s most acute humanitarian crises though  It comes with significant risks.