Italy to end support of Gaza Sumud flotilla as Israel prepares for interception in 'danger zone'

The Italian defence ministry said on Tuesday that it had instructed a naval ship following the Global Sumud Flotilla to stop once it gets within 150 nautical miles (278km) off the coast of Gaza, as Israel says it is preparing to intercept the activists on board.

However, those aboard the flotilla said on Wednesday they would continue on with their journey despite "intimidation tactics" from the Israeli military.

The Global Sumud Flotilla consists of over 40 civilian boats with activists, journalists, lawyers, parliamentarians and high-profile campaigners on board, who are demanding an end to the war on Gaza and have gained widespread attention worldwide.

The flotilla seeks to break Israel’s siege of Gaza and deliver aid to civilians who have been bombed, starved and displaced.

Fearing an imminent Israeli raid, those on board the flotilla have thrown their phones in the water, according to reports.

"In the early hours of this morning, Israeli occupation naval forces launched an intimidatory operation against the Global Sumud Flotilla," the organisers said in a statement.

Another update from the flotilla on X said it remained "vigilant as we enter the area where the previous flotillas were intercepted and/or attacked".

The Italian ministry said it has "communicated several times in recent days" that the frigate accompanying the flotilla should stop.

An Italian spokesperson for the flotilla, Maria Elena Delia, said that activists aboard the have been informed about the government’s plan to have the Italian navy ship turn back to avoid the prospect of a "diplomatic incident" with Israel.

Both Italy and Spain sent navy vessels to assist the flotilla after it was targeted by drones armed with stun grenades and irritants while it was in international waters off Greece.

Israel did not claim the attack, but it is widely believed to be behind the incidents, which followed Israeli threats to use any means to prevent the boats from reaching Gaza.

Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said he believes that should the flotilla reach Gaza safely, the boats will be intercepted by Israeli forces and those aboard be arrested.

The minister reportedly made an appeal to the activists to accept a compromise which would see them drop off the aid in Cyprus and avoid any confrontations with Israel, but representatives of the flotilla have refused the offer.

Israeli forces are preparing to intercept the vessels and take the activists to shore to be detained and deported in what has been described by Israeli media as a "complex operation" that could lead to violence and a wider crisis.

The flotilla is likely to reach Gaza on Wednesday or Thursday if it is not intercepted. However, Israel has recently intercepted boats carrying aid to Gaza in international waters and detained the activists on board.

The 500 activists aboard the flotilla have said they expect Israel to attack them as they near the Gaza coast.

In a post on Telegram, the Sumud flotilla said that participants have implemented security protocols as they expect to be intercepted.

Recent footage on social media showed an Israeli navy patrol boat passing by the lead flotilla vessel, while activists have reported an increase in drone activity overhead.

"We have now entered the high-risk zone, the area where previous flotillas have been attacked and/or intercepted," the Global Sumud Flotilla said in a post on Telegram.

Israel’s war on Gaza has killed over 66,000 Palestinians since October 2023, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, and plunged the territory into a deep humanitarian crisis.

The true death toll is believed to be much higher and the war is now widely seen as a genocide.

Israel's siege and near-total ban on aid entering the enclave has caused famine, which has killed over 400 Palestinians, most of them in recent months.