The Global Sumud Flotilla, poised to become the largest maritime humanitarian mission to challenge Israel's blockade of Gaza, has once again delayed its departure from Tunisia's Sidi Bou Said port.

Originally slated for Wednesday, the fleet's launch was pushed to Thursday due to adverse weather and logistical hurdles, organizers confirmed. However, fresh reports of suspected drone strikes on flotilla vessels have heightened tensions, with activists vowing to press on undeterred.

Nabil Chennoufi, a steering committee member for the Maghreb branch of the flotilla, attributed the postponement squarely to environmental factors. "It was decided to postpone the departure... to Thursday instead of today, Wednesday, due to bad rain and wind," Chennoufi told Anadolu Agency. He emphasized that a final decision would be made at dawn Thursday, factoring in updated forecasts and unresolved logistical issues. Dismissing speculation of security fears, Chennoufi noted a recent meeting with Tunisian authorities yielded full clearance to sail, with officials even encouraging the mission.

The flotilla, comprising around 36 vessels—two or three of which remain under preparation—aims to unite with additional boats from Italy, Spain, and potentially Egypt, swelling the convoy to over 50 ships. Participants number between 500 and 700, hailing from more than 44 countries, including high-profile figures like Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, former Barcelona Mayor Ada Colau, Irish actor Liam Cunningham, and UN Special Rapporteur on Palestine Francesca Albanese.

The mission carries approximately 300 tons of essential aid, including food, medicine, and water, in a bid to pierce the naval blockade imposed by Israel since 2007 and exacerbated by the closure of all land crossings since March 2.

Organized by a coalition of groups—the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, Global Movement to Gaza, Maghreb Sumud Flotilla, and Malaysian-led Sumud Nusantara—the initiative marks a historic escalation in scale. Previous solo efforts, such as the 2010 Mavi Marmara raid that killed 10 activists or the 2025 interceptions of the Madleen and Handala ships, ended in seizure and deportation by Israeli forces.

This time, the synchronized departure from ports in Barcelona (August 31), Genoa (August 30), and Catania underscores a unified global push to open a humanitarian corridor and spotlight Gaza's famine, where UN reports confirm widespread starvation amid Israel's military operations.

Escalating Tensions: Reports of Drone StrikesIn a dramatic turn, the flotilla's preparations were overshadowed by two alleged drone attacks on its vessels while docked in Tunisian waters. On Tuesday, September 9, organizers released footage showing a flaming object striking one boat, igniting a fire that was swiftly extinguished with no injuries reported.

A second incident unfolded overnight on September 10, targeting the "Family Boat"—a Portuguese-flagged vessel carrying women and children—prompting urgent calls for protection from Albanese and others aboard.

Tunisian authorities disputed the first claim, attributing the blaze to an internal cause, while no comment has emerged on the latest event.

Flotilla spokesperson Saif Abukeshek pointed the finger at Israel, citing its history of targeting aid missions. "There is no other authority that would do such an attack... except the Israeli authorities," he said in a video statement.

The Global Sumud Flotilla's official X account decried the strikes as "an orchestrated attempt to distract and derail our mission," reaffirming their resolve: "Our will is stronger than ever."

The attacks echo prior incidents, including a May 2025 drone strike on the Freedom Flotilla Coalition's Conscience ship off Malta.

Italian officials have raised alarms over potential Israeli surveillance, following sightings of a military plane near Sicily in early September.

On Thursday, French MEP Emma Fourreau, speaking from aboard a vessel, accused Israel of a broader strategy to "divert attention away from Gaza, where a full-blown genocide and massive evacuation is underway."

Waves of Solidarity in TunisiaEarlier Wednesday, thousands of Tunisians converged on Sidi Bou Said's port and beaches in a show of unwavering support. Waving Palestinian and Tunisian flags, crowds chanted iconic slogans: "With our soul and blood, we sacrifice for you, Palestine," "Here we are, Oh Aqsa," "Gaza, Gaza, symbol of pride," "Freedom for Palestine," and "Stop the genocide." The gathering amplified the flotilla's message of resistance against what activists term Israel's "ongoing genocide and blockade."

The Spanish convoy's arrival on Sunday, September 7, drew over 1,000 well-wishers, including European Parliament member Rima Hassan, who declared, "The Palestinian cause is not in the hands of governments today. It is in the hearts of peoples everywhere."

Conditions aboard the cramped vessels—many designed for a dozen but carrying double—evoke the dire straits in Gaza, where rationed meals and constant vigilance for drones mirror the enclave's man-made famine.

Chennoufi confirmed an Egyptian vessel's authorization to join, though Cairo has yet to comment.

Italian and Sicilian contingents, including MEPs Annalisa Corrado and Benedetta Scuderi, are en route to rendezvous, bolstering the fleet's political heft.

Malaysian ships departed August 23 with additional aid, while Emergency NGO added a medical vessel in early September.

As the flotilla eyes a mid-September arrival after a 3,000-kilometer voyage, organizers estimate seven to eight days at sea.

Global vigils, from Portland protests to letters from Spanish families urging protection, underscore the mission's resonance.

"We sail to sustain hope," wrote South African participants, echoing a sentiment that has mobilized over 15,000 registrants worldwide.

With Israeli forces reportedly preparing a "show of force," the world watches as this nonviolent armada tests the limits of international law and human solidarity.

For Gaza's 2.3 million residents, enduring over 64,000 deaths and systematic aid obstruction, the flotilla represents not just supplies, but a lifeline of defiance. (ILKHA)