Italy’s Meloni urges Gaza humanitarian flotilla to halt mission
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Italian PM Giorgia Meloni called on the Gaza aid flotilla to stop, warning that challenging the Israeli naval blockade risks derailing Trump’s peace plan.
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The Spanish navy ship Furor sets sail from the port of Cartagena to the eastern Mediterranean in Murcia, Spain, on Thursday, September 25, 2025 (AP)
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Tuesday urged the international flotilla attempting to deliver aid to Gaza to immediately cease its mission.
In a statement, Meloni warned that pressing ahead with the flotilla’s attempt to challenge the Israeli naval blockade risked undermining what she described as a “fragile balance” that could pave the way for peace based on the plan proposed by US President Donald Trump.
“Many would be happy to disrupt that plan,” Meloni said, cautioning that the flotilla’s actions could serve as a pretext for renewed tensions.
“I fear that the flotilla’s attempt to breach the Israeli naval blockade could provide a pretext for this. Also for this reason, I believe the Flotilla should stop now,” she added.
Italy withdraws from Gaza aid flotilla
Italy’s navy announced Tuesday it will withdraw from escorting the Global Sumud Flotilla once the aid convoy reaches 150 nautical miles (278 km) from Gaza, citing the risk of a confrontation with "Israel".
The Italian defense ministry confirmed Tuesday that its frigate will halt at the designated limit, stressing this position had been communicated “several times in recent days.” The ship is expected to issue two final warnings to flotilla members, including one at midnight GMT, before turning back.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, made up of more than 40 civilian boats, is carrying parliamentarians, lawyers, and activists, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, in an effort to deliver humanitarian aid to Palestine and challenge the Israeli blockade of Gaza.
Italian spokesperson Maria Elena Delia confirmed that activists had been informed of the government’s decision but said the flotilla would not turn back. “We have no intention of heeding Italy’s warnings,” she said, accusing authorities of seeking to avoid a “diplomatic incident” with "Israel."
Concerns over Israeli attack on Palestine aid mission
Delia warned that activists expect another Israeli strike in the coming hours. “'Israel' will probably attack us tonight, because all the signals point to this happening,” she said in a video posted on Instagram.
Last week, the flotilla was struck by drones armed with stun grenades and irritants in international waters off Greece.
Though "Israel" did not comment on the accusations, it has repeatedly pledged to prevent the boats from reaching Gaza, defending the blockade as part of its war on the Palestinian resistance.
Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto made a final appeal for the flotilla to accept a compromise and unload its aid in Cyprus instead of Gaza. He warned that activists could face arrest if intercepted by Israeli forces in open waters.
“The last appeal is to accept a solution that avoids unnecessary risks,” Crosetto said, but flotilla organizers have consistently rejected diversion proposals, insisting the aid must reach Gaza directly.
