Italy's navy will cease escorting the Global Sumud Flotilla to Gaza

Italy’s navy will cease escorting the Global Sumud Flotilla, a convoy of over 40 civilian boats carrying activists like Greta Thunberg, at 150 nautical miles from Gaza’s shore to avoid “a diplomatic incident” with Israel, the Italian defence ministry announced. The flotilla aims to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza.

The Italian frigate will issue two warnings, the final one at 00:00 GMT, when the flotilla nears the 150-nautical-mile limit. Flotilla spokeswoman Maria Elena Delia stated, “Israel will probably attack us tonight, because all the signals point to this happening.” Israel has vowed to stop the boats, claiming its blockade is legal.

Defence Minister Crosetto urged activists to divert aid to Cyprus to avoid confrontation. Flotilla members rejected this. Last week, drones attacked the flotilla in international waters. Israel’s offensive in Gaza, following Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack, has killed over 66,000 Palestinians, per Gaza authorities.