Dozens of activists cheered from the docks in southern France on Saturday as a small fleet of boats sailed out of Marseille, heading for the eastern Mediterranean in a dramatic attempt to challenge Israel’s long-running blockade of Gaza Strip.

Around 20 vessels left the port in the early evening, planning to join a much larger international convoy bound for Gaza later this month. Organisers say the flotilla will carry humanitarian aid and political pressure — but it is also bracing for confrontation at sea.

A Fleet Gathering Across the Mediterranean

The French boats will link up with the so-called “Global Sumud Flotilla”, a campaign that organisers say could eventually involve roughly 100 vessels.

Most of the fleet is expected to depart from Barcelona on April 12 before converging in the central Mediterranean. The combined flotilla plans to sail toward Gaza around April 20 after a planned training stop in southern Italy focused on non-violent protest tactics.

Campaigners say the voyage is designed to draw attention back to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as global political attention shifts elsewhere.

Dockside Protests Turn Into a Send-Off

Crowds gathered along Marseille’s harbour as the boats slipped away from the quay. Around 1,000 supporters waved flags, applauded and chanted “Gaza, Marseille is with you”.

Crew members say the mission is as much about visibility as aid. One participant said the aim was to push the Palestinian issue back into international headlines at a time when other conflicts dominate the news cycle.

A Mission With a History of Confrontation

Previous flotilla attempts have ended in tense stand-offs with Israeli forces. In late 2025, an earlier convoy involving around 50 boats — including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg — was intercepted by the Israeli Navy.

Organisers and Amnesty International said the boarding was illegal. Israel detained and deported the activists.

Blockade at the Heart of the Conflict

Israel has maintained a blockade on Gaza since 2007, citing security concerns linked to the Islamist movement Hamas, which governs the territory.

A fragile ceasefire that began on October 10, 2025, after two years of war remains under strain, with both sides accusing each other of repeated violations.

If the flotilla reaches Gaza’s waters later this month, another confrontation at sea may be unavoidable.

'Gaza, Marseille is with you!': French boats set sail to join international aid flotilla

Didn’t hear a peep on French news. They won’t gain anything , the Israelis have enough hate for a million boats.

If even one boat gets through, it will force Israel's hand to life the blockade.