Meloni says Italian navy won’t use force to protect ‘irresponsible’ flotilla headed for Gaza

An Italian navy ship sent to assist an international flotilla on its way to Gaza is not expected to use military force, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says, calling the activist maritime gambit “dangerous, irresponsible,” while also condemning drone attacks on the vessel.

The Global Sumud Flotilla set sail from Barcelona earlier this month with the aim of breaking the Israeli blockade of Gaza and delivering symbolic aid to the territory. It currently numbers 51 vessels, most of which are off the Greek island of Crete, with organizers claiming to have been targeted by multiple drones.

Meloni, speaking to journalists in New York, where she is attending the UN General Assembly, says her government has proposed handing over the flotilla’s aid to Cyprus and the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem to prevent further risks, rather than having the activists challenge Israel and attempt to deliver the aid themselves.

“There is no need to risk one’s own safety; it is not necessary to go to a war zone to deliver aid to Gaza, which the Italian government and the competent authorities could have delivered in a few hours,” Meloni says ahead of her speech at the UN General Assembly.

She says Italy is expecting an answer from the Gaza flotilla activists about her compromise proposal.