SICILY, ITALY, 17 Sept. - (ANA) - A number of fleets linked to the Gaza Sumud Flotilla, organised by pro-Palestinian activists from North Africa and beyond, arrived at the Italian island of Sicily on Tuesday, a day after ships set sail from the Tunisian port city of Bizerte.

 

A total of 26 vessels, including Ghea, Mango and Luna Bark, reached Sicily earlier in the day, according to the flotilla’s live tracker.

 

Two ships targeted by drone strikes last week, the British-flagged Alma and The Family, also entered Italian waters. Other vessels such as Paola 1, Suelle and Karma arrived in Sicily on Tuesday afternoon, while ships including Inana, Estrella Y Manuel, Adara and Mikenio are currently en route from Tunisia.

 

In an official post, the Global Sumud Flotilla said its ships finally departed Tunisian waters after several delays, accompanied by the Tunisian coastguard for several hours to provide "an extra layer of security".

 

The flotilla’s legal observer boat, named after slain Palestinian Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, also set sail.

 

“Pulling off the largest grassroots maritime mission to break Israel’s siege has posed many challenges, but through it all we remained determined, steadfast and united,” the group said on Instagram.

 

It added that an additional 18 boats will depart from Italy, along with six others from Greece, in an effort to reach Gaza, where Palestinians have faced near-constant bombardment, forced displacement, and the destruction of homes and livelihoods for almost two years.

 

The Global Sumud Flotilla now counts 40 vessels, carrying activists such as Kurdish-German campaigner Yasemin Acar, Tunisian activist Wael Naouar and Spain-based Palestinian activist Said Abukeshek.

 

Renowned Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg is also on board, marking her second time joining a Gaza-bound aid mission aimed at breaking Israel’s siege and starvation campaign in the enclave, where war has raged for over 23 months.

 

The coalition said all fleets will converge in international waters in the coming days to complete the formation of the Global Sumud Flotilla.

 

“Morale is high on board as our participants continue toward Gaza with a clear goal: to break Israel’s illegal siege, end the genocide and stand with the Palestinian people,” the coalition said.

 

The flotilla aims to reach Gaza by mid-September, after two previous attempts - by the Madleen and Handala vessels - were intercepted by Israel in June and July.   - (ANA) -

 

AB/ANA/17 September 2025 - - -