The Global Sumud Flotilla says Italy’s offer to let participants board a naval vessel amounts to “sabotage.”
“[The Italian government] is choosing to escort us only to the point of danger and then try to peel us away, delivering us back to shore empty-handed, as Israel continues to slaughter and starve the Palestinian people with complete impunity,” the flotilla says in a statement. “We say again: the flotilla sails onward.”
Around 45 boats with participants from across the globe are attempting to breach Israel’s naval blockade, claiming to be bringing humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
The flotilla is approaching the 150-nautical-mile (172-mile) limit off Gaza’s Mediterranean coast. Flotilla participants tell The Associated Press they expect Israeli authorities to intervene as they approach a “critical zone” tonight.
Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni has urged the flotilla to stop now, saying their intent to breach the Israeli naval blockade in the coming hours risks becoming a pretext to destroy the Trump peace plan.
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From the Liveblog of
Sunday, September 28, 2025
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