A major civilian-led maritime mission is set to enter its final launch phase in Barcelona on Sunday, as international activists, humanitarian groups and civil society leaders gather to initiate the largest coordinated flotilla effort to date.

The Global Sumud Flotilla will officially begin its launch proceedings at Moll de la Fusta Port, bringing together more than 70 vessels and over 1,000 participants from across the globe. The initiative aims to challenge the ongoing blockade of Gaza through a combined maritime and land-based mobilisation strategy.

Organisers say the mission integrates humanitarian assistance, legal advocacy and grassroots activism, with parallel actions planned in multiple countries to amplify political pressure and international awareness.

A press conference scheduled for Sunday morning will feature members of the flotilla’s steering committee alongside representatives from organisations including Greenpeace and Open Arms.

Speakers are expected to address the humanitarian urgency surrounding Gaza, the broader geopolitical context, and the strategic framework guiding the mission.

Key themes to be highlighted include the worsening humanitarian situation, concerns over international accountability, and the role of global civil society in responding to escalating tensions in the region, including developments in Lebanon and the West Bank.

Following the main briefing, media engagements will continue throughout the day, including interviews, political delegation statements and access to the flotilla’s departure zone, where final preparations and boarding activities will take place.

Organisers describe the initiative as more than a maritime operation, framing it as a coordinated global response involving professionals such as doctors, teachers and environmental specialists prepared to support relief and early reconstruction efforts in Gaza.

As preparations conclude in Barcelona, partner groups worldwide are expected to mobilise simultaneously, reinforcing calls for accountability under international law and strengthening solidarity campaigns.

The flotilla, organisers emphasise, represents a broader political and moral statement aimed at drawing attention to the ongoing crisis and urging collective global action.