Italian navy withdraws as Sumud Flotilla nears Gaza, faces possible Israeli interception

Italian navy ships that had been providing protection to the Global Sumud Flotilla have returned after the vessels moved within 150 nautical miles of Gaza, leaving those on board exposed to a possible Israeli interception.

In the meantime, the flotilla openly criticized Italy’s withdrawal, denouncing the move as an attempt to end the mission. Activists aboard have flatly rejected Italy’s advice to turn back, even as Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni warned that pressing ahead would endanger regional stability.

Meloni argued that the peace plan proposed by Donald Trump had created a fragile balance that could be “destroyed” if the Sumud flotilla continued toward Gaza. “Any other choice risks becoming a pretext for preventing peace, fuelling conflict and therefore affecting above all the people of Gaza,” she said.

Responding to her remarks, the flotilla insisted they would not abandon their mission. “The Italian navy will not derail this mission. The humanitarian demand to break the blockade cannot be walked back to port,” activists said.

The Global Sumud Flotilla is carrying more than 500 activists, including parliamentarians, lawmakers, and a Pakistani delegation led by former senator Mushtaq Ahmed Khan.

The mission has now advanced to within 145 nautical miles of Gaza, with activists reporting that Israeli military vessels had surrounded them. However, according to one activist, the warships later turned away, leaving them uncertain about Israel’s next move.

At the same time, Israel accused the flotilla of aiding Hamas and circulated a photo of Greta Thunberg allegedly speaking in the presence of Hamas leaders. Yet fact-checks revealed the images to be misleading. One of the individuals labeled as a Hamas leader turned out to be British politician George Galloway.