The Sumud Flotilla is an international civilian mobilisation that seeks to bring humanitarian aid to Gaza and draw global attention to the naval blockade, coordinating boats and delegations from dozens of countries. The project began in the summer of 2025 and brings together networks such as the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and regional groups, with participants including activists, doctors, lawyers, sailors, and cultural figures. In recent weeks, media coverage has reported on departures and stops in the Mediterranean, along with port authority inspections and the possibility of interceptions at sea, as has happened in previous civilian expeditions to Gaza documented over the years. To understand what the Sumud Flotilla is and how to approach it responsibly, it is always advisable to start with official sources and the long-standing partners of these missions, bearing in mind that the situation is fluid and that times, routes, and ports of call can change at short notice.

According to material released by the organisers and media reports, the initiative involves more than fifty boats with delegations from over forty countries, an organisational scale never before seen for this type of civilian voyage.

Can I join the crew of the Sumud Flotilla ❓

Yes, it is possible to apply, but not all applications are accepted, and roles on the board require different profiles.

The official channels indicate several forms of participation, including delegates on board as volunteer passengers, crew members with proven maritime experience, land-based teams supporting logistics, communications, media and advocacy, as well as the organisation of solidarity actions in ports and cities along the route. Access is through forms and contacts published by the coalition, which direct profiles to boats or territorial teams based on skills and availability. If you want a technical role at sea, prepare your CV and certifications, since the boats operate with strict safety standards and select people with specific experience. For volunteer delegate roles, the focus is instead on motivation, the ability to live in confined spaces and respect safety protocols, as well as a clear adherence to the principles of nonviolence that govern conduct on board and in interactions with authorities and the media.

The organisers clearly state that “every hand counts,” both at sea and on land, and that the coalition coordinates different ways to contribute, from fundraising to local press work, to building support networks in ports.

Before applying, do a personal check ✔️🛟

Life on board is Spartan, with shifts, night watches, daily training on safety and conflict management, and strong group cohesion required to face days of navigation without long stops. Some recent reports show how the days are punctuated by lessons on Palestinian history, practical sessions on emergency procedures, watch organisation, and debriefings, all aspects that help to understand the type of commitment required. If you have no maritime experience but still want to contribute, the recommended path is to volunteer for land-based teams or for information and fundraising activities in your city, which remain essential for the overall success of the mission.

How to follow the journey of the Sumud Flotilla

If your question is how to stay updated, there are centralised channels that collect stops, positions, and breaking news.

The main reference published by the coalition is a “Flotilla Tracker” that shows the progress of the boats as they are added to the map. It is a work in progress, useful to get an idea of the declared routes and planned stops, bearing in mind that, for security reasons, the sharing of details may be partial or delayed. Alongside the tracker, the official social media profiles of the Global Sumud Flotilla share videos, statements, and updates from the boats and ports, often more frequently than press releases. Historic partners such as the Freedom Flotilla Coalition also share notes, appeals, and background materials, a good option to cross-check and verify.

For those who prefer an email recap, some solidarity organisations offer subscription forms to receive updates and calls to action, useful if you want to support from a distance.

Follow the expedition through international Media

From a journalistic point of view, it is also worth following international media that keep a log of the days on board and reconstruct the broader framework of the mobilisation, from the number of boats to the geography of the delegations. This allows you to distinguish between organisers’ claims, official corrections, and independent verifications. In recent hours, for example, there has been talk of a fire on a boat docked in Tunisia that activists attribute to a drone attack, a circumstance that local authorities denied while still opening an investigation.

Episodes like this show how important it is to consult multiple sources, cross-check statements with official notes, and remember that real-time news can change as new elements emerge. As of September 9, 2025, the situation is still developing, with agencies and newspapers publishing details as they emerge.

Participating without boarding 🔍

If you want to participate without boarding a boat, you can contribute to the sustainability of the mission by:

• supporting fundraising campaigns promoted by the organisers,
• organising public events in your city,
• helping to translate and spread statements into multiple languages,
• offering professional skills such as design or media management.

The organizers emphasize that the land network is as essential as the people on board, and that public visibility depends on the collective ability to document and tell the journey in a verifiable way. When contacting coordinators, always specify your availability, languages spoken, and any nautical licenses or first aid certifications, so that they can better guide you.

* Handala is the name of the main ship used by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (the international network that has organised solidarity voyages to Gaza for years). It has become the reference boat, often receiving the most media coverage and providing its own online tracking system, known as the “Handala Tracker.”

The name is not accidental: Handala is also the famous character created by Palestinian cartoonist Naji al-Ali, a barefoot child turning his back on the world, who since the 1970s has become a symbol of Palestinian resistance and the memory of exile. Unlike other boats in the flotilla, Handala almost always has a stable public tracking, with regular updates provided directly by the organisers. This is why both the Sumud Flotilla and the Freedom Flotilla Coalition often invite people to check it as a primary source to monitor the journey.

Sources and further reading

• Global Sumud Flotilla – About
• Al Jazeera – Ship’s log: a day on board the Global Sumud Flotilla
• Al Jazeera – The Global Sumud Flotilla to Gaza: everything you need to know
• Freedom Flotilla Coalition – official site
• Instagram – Global Sumud Flotilla
• Associated Press – Tunisia: fire on Flotilla boat

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