Freedom Flotilla announces new mission to Gaza in October

Organisers of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition announced on Wednesday plans for a new maritime mission seeking to reach the Gaza Strip in October.

According to the organisers, participating vessels will make stops in Spain, Portugal and Italy before continuing toward Gaza.

The coalition said the mission was intended to challenge Israel’s restrictions on maritime access to Gaza and build international pressure for changes in Israeli policy toward the enclave.

Previous coalition voyages have included the Handala II, which sailed through Scandinavia in June and July and stopped at ports in Norway, Sweden and Denmark.

Another vessel, the Kite, departed Bristol in the United Kingdom and made stops in Ireland, Germany and France as part of the coalition’s campaigning activities.

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Organisers said they planned to work with local groups at each port to press governments to take measures against Israel, including ending arms and energy supplies, reducing diplomatic and military cooperation and imposing sanctions.

The coalition said the European stops were also intended to mobilize public support ahead of its planned attempt to reach Gaza in October 2026.

“The Freedom Flotilla is setting sail again because our governments continue to fail in their duties,” said Zohar Chamberlain-Regev, a member of the coalition’s steering committee.

“At every port, we will carry the demand for Palestinians to be granted the freedom to live in dignity,” she added.

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