The announcement was made this Wednesday at the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg, and is expected to mobilize thousands of participants from over 100 countries. GSF organizers aim to respond to the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip given what they consider a lack of effective action by the international community.
The mission will combine a maritime flotilla setting sail from various Mediterranean ports, including Barcelona, Italy, and Tunisia, with a humanitarian land caravan crossing North Africa.
The stated goal is to offer humanitarian assistance, document potential violations of international law, and support the affected civilian population.
The GSF emphasized that this is a civil and non-violent action, intended to be a large-scale coordinated material intervention, not just a symbolic act. It will mobilize health, education, and engineering professionals, as well as legal observers.
This call recalls previous attempts to reach Gaza by sea. One such attempt, which included the participation of former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau, was intercepted in international waters by the Israeli army, resulting in the detention and expulsion of the activists.
