Global Flotilla Heads Toward Gaza Despite Warnings of Israeli Interception
The Global Sumud Flotilla—a convoy of more than 40 civilian boats carrying over 500 people, including parliamentarians, lawyers, and Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg—is pressing ahead with its mission to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza.
According to Italy’s defence ministry, the Italian frigate accompanying the convoy will halt once the vessels reach 150 nautical miles (278 km) from Gaza’s shore, which is expected around midnight GMT.
Rome has urged flotilla organizers to accept a compromise: unload the humanitarian aid at Cyprus and avoid a confrontation with Israeli forces. But flotilla representatives have rejected the proposal, insisting that their mission is to reach Gaza itself.
“The flotilla sails onwards. The Italian navy will not derail this mission. The humanitarian demand to break the blockade cannot be walked back to port,” the organizers declared in a statement.
Last week, the flotilla came under drone attacks in international waters off Greece, where activists said stun grenades and chemical irritants were used. Italy and Spain dispatched naval ships afterward to monitor the mission, though officials stressed they would not intervene militarily.
Israel has not confirmed involvement in the earlier assault but has vowed to stop the flotilla by any means, arguing that the blockade is legal and part of its war against Hamas.
Activists Prepare for Clash
Flotilla spokeswoman Maria Elena Delia warned that another strike could come within hours. “Israel will probably attack us tonight, because all the signals point to this happening,” she said in an Instagram video.
Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto has already predicted that the boats will be intercepted in open waters, with participants likely facing arrest. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also urged organizers to stand down, arguing that the mission could undermine U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed 20-point Gaza peace plan.
Pope Leo voiced concern over the safety of the participants. “From all sides, people are saying, ‘let’s hope that there will not be violence, that people are respected.’ That’s very important,” he told reporters near Rome.
War Context
The Gaza blockade remains one of the most contentious aspects of Israel’s war with Hamas, which began after the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack that killed around 1,200 people and resulted in 251 hostages, according to Israeli figures. Since then, more than 66,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza health authorities.
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