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Hundreds march in Tunis to demand release of Gaza flotilla leaders
Hundreds marched in Tunisia’s capital to demand the release of four detained leaders of the Sumud Flotilla, which aims to break the Gaza blockade. The demonstration protested the four-month extension of their detention as activists on hunger strike were said to be suffering deteriorating health.
Hundreds of people marched in Tunisia’s capital in support of four detained leaders of the Sumud Flotilla, known for its activities opposing the Gaza blockade. During Saturday’s demonstration, protesters called for the activists’ release and the dismissal of the charges against them.
The demonstrators set out from in front of the headquarters of the Tunisian National Journalists’ Syndicate and proceeded to Habib Bourguiba Avenue. They carried photographs of Wael Nevar, Nabil Chenoufi, Ghassan Bougadiri and Ghassan al-Henchiri.
Participants held banners protesting the criminalization of solidarity with Palestine and chanted for the detained activists’ freedom and in support of the Palestinian cause.
Health deteriorates amid hunger strike
Rachid Othmani, a member of the Sumud Flotilla Activists and the National Committee for the Defense of the Palestinian Cause, said during the demonstration that the four detained activists’ health had deteriorated because of their hunger strike.
Othmani said the Tunisian people had joined the demonstration against the charges brought against the activists. He said their demands were the detainees’ release and the dismissal of the charges against them, adding that the Sumud Flotilla leaders belonged alongside the Tunisian people.
Othmani defended the activists’ right to oppose the Gaza blockade and developments in the region, and protested the charges against the detainees.
Detention extended by four months
On September 11, Tunisia’s judiciary extended the detention of the four leaders by another four months as part of an investigation into money-laundering allegations.
On March 16, judicial authorities detained seven members of the Sumud Flotilla’s executive body on money-laundering allegations. Those detained included Wael Nevar, Nabil Chenoufi, Ghassan al-Henchiri, Ghassan Bougadiri, Mohamed Amine Bennour, Jawahir Channa and Sana Mesahli.
Mesahli was released on April 17, and Channa on April 23. Mohamed Amine Bennour, a doctor and member of the executive body, was also released on May 22 after 78 days in detention.
The Sumud Flotilla’s Gaza initiative
The Sumud Flotilla’s leadership and the activists’ defense committee are demanding the detainees’ release. The committee says the activists’ activities were linked to solidarity demonstrations with Palestinians and attempts to break the Gaza blockade.
Numerous vessels belonging to the flotilla set sail for Gaza from late August 2025 onward. Israeli forces stopped the vessels as they approached Gaza, detained the activists on board and later sent them back to their countries.
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