Greenpeace will be joining the civilian-led flotilla headed to Gaza, challenging Israel’s blockade of aid. Greenpeace’s ship will provide technical support to the flotilla.
Greenpeace ship to follow aid flotilla going to Gaza
Greenpeace has announced that one of its ships, the Arctic Sunrise, will join the Global Sumud Flotilla. The flotilla is carrying aid and headed for Gaza, challenging Israel’s blockade on the entry of aid to the region.
Greenpeace’s ship will help the flotilla by providing technical and operational maritime support. This will help the vessels safely cross the Mediterranean before reaching the shores of Gaza.
Moreover, the Global Sumud flotilla carrying aid to Gaza is made up of more than 70 ships. There are also over a thousand people who are participating in the flotilla’s mission of challenging Israel and providing aid to Gaza.
The executive director of Greenpeace Spain, Eva Saldaña, expressed her pride in Greenpeace joining the flotilla in a time of destruction and pain across the Middle East.
“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.
However, the flotilla mobilised in response to a direct call for aid from Gaza. The flotilla will set sail from Spain on April 12. It will make stops in Italy and Greece before getting to Gaza.
Susan Abdullah, one of the committee members of the Global Sumud Flotilla, welcomed Greenpeace’s decision to join the flotilla.
“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,” she said.
Israel thwarts previous flotilla effort to provide aid to Gaza
The Global Sumud Flotilla had tried to take aid to Gaza last year, but Israel thwarted their efforts.
The flotilla sailed in September 2025 with 42 boats and 462 people. Israeli forces intercepted the flotilla and took those on board into custody.
Those on board the flotilla described the encounter with the Israeli forces as tense. They reported that the Israeli forces disabled communications, disrupting distress signals and livestreams of the boarding.