A massive civilian flotilla carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza set sail from Spain on August 31, marking what organizers describe as the largest sea mission in history. Nearly 100 ships with volunteers from 44 countries are participating in the effort.

The first convoy, consisting of dozens of smaller vessels carrying doctors, aid workers, volunteers, and emergency supplies, departed Spain and is scheduled to join a second group in Tunisia on September 4. Organizers say the mission seeks not only to deliver aid but also to send a strong message calling for an immediate end to Israel’s blockade of Gaza.

The flotilla is coordinated by four international coalitions: the Global Movement to Gaza (GMTG), the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), the Maghreb Sumud Flotilla, and Sumud Nusantara. Participants are not affiliated with any government or political party but include medical professionals, humanitarian activists, artists, religious leaders, lawyers, and sailors.

The steering committee includes prominent figures such as Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, historian Kleoniki Alexopoulou, human rights advocate Yasemin Akar, environmentalist Thiago Ávila, political scientist and lawyer Melanie Schweitzer, physicist Maria Elena Delia, Palestinian activist Saif AbuKeshk, and humanitarian worker Muhammad Nadir al-Nouri.

The journey, covering nearly 3,000 kilometers (1,620 nautical miles), is expected to take seven to eight days. Since 2007, Israel has maintained strict control over Gaza’s airspace and waters, severely limiting the movement of goods and people. With land and air routes blocked, organizers say sea routes remain the only viable option to deliver humanitarian assistance.

Deaths from both Israeli attacks and starvation continue to rise in Gaza. In the past 24 hours, at least 59 Palestinians were killed, including 23 who died while collecting aid. The Health Ministry also confirmed that five more people, including two children, died of hunger and malnutrition, bringing the total number of starvation-related deaths to 322, of whom 121 were children.

Since Israel’s military campaign began on 7 October 2023, more than 63,000 Palestinians have been killed and nearly 160,000 injured. Following the introduction of a new aid distribution system in late May, over 2,200 people have died and more than 16,000 injured while trying to collect aid.

Israel has now declared Gaza City a “battle zone,” suspending daily humanitarian pauses that previously allowed limited aid delivery. The UN said nearly half of all planned humanitarian missions in Gaza have been delayed or blocked by Israeli authorities in the past week.

Aid agencies and UNICEF warn that malnutrition among children in Gaza is worsening, with supplies of therapeutic food critically low. Thousands of children are undergoing emergency screenings and treatment.

Meanwhile, Israeli forces have recovered the body of Ilan Weiss, a citizen abducted by Hamas on 7 October. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to bring back all Israeli hostages, dead or alive. In the US, Microsoft has fired four employees who protested the company’s technology links with Israel.

Mohan Bhagwat, chief of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), has said that Islam has been an integral part of Indian society and will continue to remain so. He made the remarks on Thursday (28 August) at an event in New Delhi marking RSS’s centenary celebrations.

Bhagwat stated that those who believe Islam should not exist in India do not understand Hindu philosophy. He emphasized that mutual trust and unity are essential to resolve social conflicts.

Addressing migration issues, he said the government is working to curb illegal infiltration, but stressed that employment opportunities should first go to Indian citizens, including Muslims, rather than outsiders. He also urged respect for religious sensitivities during festivals.

On population, Bhagwat said every family should have no more than three children to maintain balance in the country. He added that this guideline should be accepted by all.