Freedom Flotilla Organizers Plan October Voyage to Gaza

Organizers of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FCC) announced on Wednesday their intention to sail to the Gaza Strip in October. The new mission, according to the organizers, will include stops in Spain, Portugal, and Italy before proceeding towards Gaza. In a statement, they declared it a "new international mission aimed at challenging the illegal and deadly blockade imposed by Israel on Gaza."

In June and July, the coalition's vessel, Handala II, sailed around Scandinavia, docking in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. This month, the vessel Kate departed from Bristol, UK, and made stops in Ireland, Germany, and France.

"At each stop, the flotilla will stand with local communities to pressure their governments to take action against Israel, including blocking arms and energy shipments fueling Israeli aggression, ending diplomatic and military cooperation, and imposing meaningful sanctions," the organizers stated. They added, "The journey is intended to build public support and international pressure ahead of the planned attempt by the flotilla to reach Gaza in October 2026."

Zohar Chamberlain-Regev, a member of the coalition's steering committee, said, "The Freedom Flotilla is setting sail again because our governments continue to fail in their duties. In every port, we will carry the demand for Palestinians to have the freedom to live with dignity."

In May 2026, Israeli naval commandos from Unit 13 seized the flotilla vessel Sumud. Hundreds of activists aboard were transferred to Israel. That flotilla, comprising dozens of vessels, had departed from ports in Europe and Turkey with the aim of breaching the naval blockade on the Gaza Strip.