Italy and Greece call on Israel not to hurt activists aboard an international flotilla, which is aiming to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza and deliver aid there, and bracing for Israeli action to block it.
“[We] are calling on the Israeli authorities to ensure the safety and security of the participants and to allow for all consular protection measures,” the two countries say in a joint statement issued by their respective foreign ministers.
Rome and Athens also call on activists to accept a compromise proposal to hand over aid to the Catholic Church, letting it distribute it in Gaza, and avoid a direct confrontation with Israel.
Flotilla members have repeatedly rejected the proposal, saying that a key part of their mission is to challenge and expose Israel’s naval blockade on Gaza, which they consider unlawful. Israel stopped flotillas earlier this year and has depicted them as a publicity stunt.
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From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, October 1, 2025
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