​​​​​​​Vessels departing from Spain and Italy have converged with Tunisian boats in the Mediterranean, forming a flotilla that organizers say is part of a broader civil resistance movement inspired by earlier missions such as the Mavi Marmara.

Nearly 1,000 activists from 44 countries are participating, representing Europe, Asia, the Gulf, North Africa, and Latin America.
Ayçin Kantoğlu, a Turkish delegate, said the mission is driven by a moral imperative: “We have witnessed the massacre of children and infants in Gaza for nearly two years. Our patience has run out. We are not afraid of Israel, its army, or its threats.” She emphasized that the convoy’s goal is not only to deliver aid to Gaza’s two million residents but also to challenge the impunity of those responsible for humanitarian crises.
Other participants, such as Turkish presenter İkbal Gürpınar, described their involvement as a matter of conscience: “Like a small bird carrying water to extinguish the fire for Prophet Abraham, I wanted to do my part. This is a peaceful mission — we carry no weapons, only the hope that the world will see this issue can be resolved through goodwill and peace.”
Tunisian human rights activist Dr. Mohamed Amin Bennour highlighted the international coordination behind the effort, which took over three months of logistical planning, ship preparation, and diplomatic outreach. The Tunisian contingent alone numbers around 150 trained volunteers, including lawyers, doctors, and civil society members.
Organizers stress that the initiative is rooted in the philosophy of nonviolent civil resistance. The convoy’s departure comes amid a total blockade of Gaza since March 2, which has severely restricted humanitarian access and contributed to famine conditions.
For Tunisia, Bennour said, hosting the final assembly point before the convoy sails to Gaza is “a historic honor” — and for the activists, it is both a humanitarian duty and a moral responsibility.