Italy’s Meloni urges Gaza humanitarian flotilla to halt mission
Posted by Ian M on September 30, 2025, 11:37 pm
Wouldn't want to upset the fascists... Don't know what the Spaniards are intending to do. Can a military vessel even do anything about a drone swarm attack? Concerning...
Italy’s Meloni urges Gaza humanitarian flotilla to halt mission
By Al Mayadeen English Source: Agencies Today 00:08
3 Min Read
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.
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.Tell your story; Ask a question; Interpret generously http://storybythethroat.wordpress.com/tell-ask-listen/
Drop Site: Israel won’t allow Global Sumud Flotilla to break its illegal naval blockade on Gaza
REPORT | Israel won’t allow Global Sumud Flotilla to break its illegal naval blockade on Gaza — Hebrew media
Israeli outlets Kan and N12 detail extensive preparations to stop the flotilla of 45 boats carrying nearly 500 activists from 40+ countries expected to reach Gaza’s shores between Wednesday night and Thursday morning – around the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur (runs Wednesday evening, Oct. 1, 2025 through Thursday evening, Oct. 2, 2025).
➤ Military plans: The navy and Shayetet 13 commandos will intercept at sea, ordering ships back and seizing them when they refuse. Hebrew reports say some vessels will be confiscated and others deliberately sunk.
➤ A Prison and a Special Tribunal: Hundreds of detained activists will be transferred to Ashdod port, then to Ketziot prison under police and Ben-Gvir’s prison service control. Those “complying” will be deported after the fast ends (starting Thursday night); those “resisting” will face a special Interior Ministry tribunal set up inside the prison rather than a civilian court.
➤ Force mobilization: 600 police officers are being deployed; hospitals in Ashdod, Ashkelon, Rehovot, and Be’er Yaakov have been placed on alert. Israeli police “intelligence” claimed—without a shred of evidence—that activists aboard the flotilla (who have reiterated repeatedly their total commitment to nonviolence) may resist “with force.”
➤ Political pressure: Italian PM Giorgia Meloni urged organizers not to attempt to “breach [Israel’s] naval blockade,” accusing them of undermining Trump’s “peace plan.” Rome later pulled its naval escort. Organizers condemned the move as “cowardice disguised as diplomacy,” vowing to continue: “It is far more dangerous to remain silent in the face of genocide, starvation, and collective punishment,” GSF said.Tell your story; Ask a question; Interpret generously http://storybythethroat.wordpress.com/tell-ask-listen/
Report from Alex Colston (@enoughformethx) Drop Site @DropSiteNews
It is now almost 11 p.m. local time for the Global Sumud Flotilla, where Drop Site editor Alex Colston is aboard the ship Sirius. The fleet of 44 boats, carrying nearly 500 participants with one more vessel trying to catch up, is less than 200 nautical miles from Gaza and still expected to reach the “Orange Zone” around 4 a.m. — about 150 miles from Gaza beyond which Israeli interception is most likely. Two support vessels, Shireen and Summertime, along with Life Support, will turn back before that line.
Israel has deployed an elite naval unit to intercept and seize the flotilla’s boats. Italian officials confirmed their ship will not continue past 150 miles; sources in the Spanish government said Spain’s vessel will also stop there. Turkey’s backing remains limited to possible rescue missions.
UPDATE: GSF organizers shared that the flotilla expects to reach the “orange zone” at 2:00 a.m. local time, and what might be the Israeli blockade line by 8:30 a.m. Organizers explained that this line is where the fleet may be confronted by naval forces and ordered to turn back. While the exact point remains unclear, there are unconfirmed reports suggesting Israel could act at around 120 nautical miles to stop the ships.Tell your story; Ask a question; Interpret generously http://storybythethroat.wordpress.com/tell-ask-listen/
Fucking unbelievable...suppose we should have known they'd cave as soon as they made it clear that they were only going to be there for picking up a few survivors if Israel decides to destroy the flotilla which is carrying citizens from all over the world on a peaceful humanitarian mission. They're on their own out there again with the nazis who are capable of doing just about anything."I won't dignify the attacker's words by repeating them, they are horrific and vile."
BREAKING: Italy’s Unione Sindacale di Base (USB) warns: “IF THEY BLOCK THE Global Sumud Flotilla, THERE WILL BE A GENERAL STRIKE.”
The union, a major grassroots force representing workers in transport, logistics, health, and education, previously led the shut down of ports and trains nationwide on Sept. 22 in a 24-hour solidarity strike for Gaza.Tell your story; Ask a question; Interpret generously http://storybythethroat.wordpress.com/tell-ask-listen/
"challenging the Israeli naval blockade risks derailing Trump’s peace plan."
Thiago Ávila @thiagoavilabr ⚠️🚨 URGENT!!! An Israeli military vessel just came across our boats intimidating, damaging our communication systems and doing very dangerous manouvers circling our lead boats ALMA and SIRIUS! Despite the loss of electronic devices, no one has been injured and we KEEP ON GOING!
Drop Site @DropSiteNews 🎥 Watch: One of two likely Israeli navy vessels that circled the ship Sirius-Haifa at dawn.
Our onboard CCTV livestream, communication and internet, and navigational systems briefly went down, but they have now been restored and the sun has risen.
Drop Site@DropSiteNews 🎥 Watch: More closeup footage of a likely Israeli navy vessel that circled the Sirius-Haifa ship at dawn—as captured by a crew member onboard.
Paolo Mossetti @paolomossetti 💥An Israeli ship not carrying military materials has been blocked in the port of Livorno, Italy. This is the first time: until now, protests in Italian ports had only been organized when weapons were involved.
Dockworkers in this traditionally left-leaning town, supported by grassroots unions, staged a protest at the entrance of the port basin to block the Israeli shipping company Zim from docking. “No unloading, loading, or storage operations will be carried out,” the dockworkers declared, adding they would launch a targeted strike against ships linked to Israel’s economy if docking permission is granted. Another Zim ship is expected to arrive in Livorno on Thursday.
Although the port authority formally grants docking permission, a ship cannot operate without the help of dockworkers. Permission has been withheld so far due to the protests. Over the past two years, Italian ports have already witnessed acts of civil disobedience blocking weapons shipments to Israel. This, however, is the first time a non-military cargo ship has been targeted.
Italy braces for 24-hour rail strike over Gaza Published on 01-10-2025 at 10:54 Italy will be hit by strike action, including from rail workers, this week over Israel's war on Gaza. Italy will be hit by strike action, including from rail workers, this week over Israel's war on Gaza. mazarekic/Shutterstock
A nationwide strike in protest against Israel’s war on Gaza will disrupt trains across Italy from Thursday evening to Friday night. Though called by the small Si Cobas union, it falls under the general strike framework, obliging FS Group and private operators to prepare for major disruption at the start of a month with twelve transport walkouts already planned.
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More of this sort of thing!
Remind me what UK unions have been doing about this? Any strongly worded letters?
on September 30, 2025, 11:37 pm