A new “flotilla for Gaza,” consisting of around 50 vessels, departed this afternoon from the Turkish port of Marmaris, according to the organizers.

This marks the third attempt to break the blockade of the Palestinian enclave since October 7, 2023.

The previous flotilla was intercepted by Israeli forces on April 30, and the 175 activists aboard were detained in international waters.

“Approximately 50 vessels left Marmaris about an hour ago,” said one of the coordinators of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), Görkem Duru, adding that they are “heading toward Gaza.”

The flotilla is expected to be joined in international waters by another “four or five boats from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition,” he clarified.

The organizers also pledged to provide regular updates regarding their route and plans once the flotilla expands and reorganizes.

In the autumn of 2025, the first voyage of the Global Sumud Flotilla — “sumud” meaning “steadfastness” or “resilience” in Arabic — toward Gaza drew worldwide attention. It was intercepted by Israeli forces off the Egyptian coast, while the activists were initially taken to Israel and later deported.

Since the start of the war in Gaza, following Hamas’ unprecedented attack on Israeli territory on October 7, 2023, the enclave has faced severe shortages of food and other essential supplies. Israel controls all entry points into the Gaza Strip, which has been under blockade since 2007. Access to humanitarian aid remains limited.