Greenpeace to join aid flotilla heading to Gaza
Greenpeace International announced on Monday that its ship, Arctic Sunrise, will join the upcoming Global Sumud Flotilla, travelling alongside more than 70 boats and over 1,000 participants aiming to challenge Israel’s blockade on aid to Gaza.
The organisation said that the ship will help by providing technical and safety support, making sure all vessels can travel safely across the Mediterranean Sea before heading the final 200 nautical miles towards Gaza.
Eva Saldaña, Executive Director of Greenpeace Spain, said, “At this time of escalating war, triggered by US and Israeli militaries and cascading into a cycle of destruction and pain across the Middle East, we are honoured to answer the call to join the Sumud Flotilla with the Greenpeace ship, the Arctic Sunrise.
“While world governments have lacked the courage and conviction to uphold international law and their obligation to prevent genocide in Gaza, the Sumud Flotilla has been a shining light of humanitarian solidarity and a symbol of hope in action,” she said.
The organisation said the flotilla, launched in response to a direct call from Palestinians in Gaza, is set to sail from Barcelona, Spain, on April 12, 2026, with stops in Syracuse, Italy, and Lerapetra, Greece, en route to Gaza, while a public solidarity gathering will be held on April 11.
Ghiwa Nakat, Executive Director of Greenpeace MENA, said, “The devastation inflicted on Gaza has become a dangerous doctrine of impunity, now spreading to Lebanon through relentless destruction and deepening human suffering,” noting that “The Greenpeace ship is joining this people-led mission to demand safe, unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza and to challenge the illegal blockade that continues to devastate civilian life.”
Nakat asserted that they stand firmly against war crimes, deliberate starvation, ethnic cleansing, genocide and ecocide, adding that the flotilla is a call for governments worldwide to end their silence, protect humanitarian action and act with urgency to uphold international law, human dignity and justice.
Susan Abdullah, a member of the Global Sumud Flotilla Steering Committee, said, “Greenpeace’s history of defending the seas, confronting injustice and taking action in defence of life makes them a powerful addition to our 2026 spring mission. We sail together in the same direction, with a shared determination to help break Israel’s illegal siege of Gaza.”
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition aims to challenge Israel’s "illegal" naval blockade of Gaza by delivering humanitarian aid and mounting a nonviolent, civilian-led effort against the ongoing siege.
The mission also seeks to demonstrate global solidarity, demand accountability, and establish a sustainable civilian-operated sea corridor for essential supplies.
The coalition has been organising such voyages since 2010, building on the earlier efforts of the Free Gaza Movement, which broke the blockade in 2008. Following the sailing of the Madleen vessel in June 2025, the initiative has expanded into a broader international effort involving multiple boats and a coordinated, sustained campaign.
The previous Sumud Flotilla, which sailed in September 2025 with 42 boats and 462 participants, was intercepted by Israeli forces, who boarded the vessels, detained those on board and took them to Israel, with reports also indicating that communication systems were jammed and crew members faced tense situations involving nearby vessels and drones.
The Arctic Sunrise has been part of Greenpeace’s fleet since 1995 and has been involved in campaigns across both polar regions.
The ship can carry up to 30 people and is designed to operate in icy conditions, with a length of 50.5 metres and a top speed of 13 knots.
Greenpeace has consistently criticised the humanitarian and environmental situation in Gaza and continues to call for action.
