Overview
- The Global Sumud Flotilla says it will send more than 100 boats carrying up to about 1,000 participants, including medical staff, engineers and war‑crimes investigators.
- A parallel land convoy is planned to draw thousands across countries such as Tunisia and Egypt, with vessels departing from Spain, Tunisia and Italy and a flagship departure slated for March 29 from Barcelona.
- At a Johannesburg briefing, speakers urged governments to prevent any interception and cited a provisional International Court of Justice ruling as legal grounds for safe passage.
- Israel intercepted last year’s flotilla of roughly 40–50 vessels in international waters, detaining about 443 people including Greta Thunberg, Mandla Mandela and MEP Rima Hassan, and several detainees later alleged abuse.
- UN agencies say deliveries still fall far short of needs despite the October ceasefire, as Israel has suspended more than two dozen aid groups in Gaza and only five critical patients reportedly exited via Rafah this week.