Italy warns Gaza aid flotilla of naval call before critical zone

AL-Monitor
Sep 30, 2025
A drone picture shows a flotilla of humanitarian boats led by French activist Melissa, dubbed the “Thousand Madleens,” departing from the Sicilian port of San Giovanni li Cuti in Catania, Italy September 27, 2025. REUTERS/Danilo Arnone
A drone picture shows a flotilla of humanitarian boats led by French activist Melissa, dubbed the “Thousand Madleens,” departing from the Sicilian port of San Giovanni li Cuti in Catania, Italy September 27, 2025. REUTERS/Danilo Arnone — Danilo Arnone

(Reuters) -The international flotilla trying to deliver aid to Gaza said Italy had informed it on Tuesday that the naval frigate shadowing it would soon issue a radio call, offering participants the opportunity to abandon ship and return to shore before reaching a "critical zone".

The Global Sumud Flotilla said it would continue to sail onwards with over 40 civilian boats carrying parliamentarians, lawyers and activists including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, aiming to break Israel's blockade of the Palestinian enclave.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Italian defence ministry said its navy would stop following the international flotilla once it reached within 150 nautical miles (278 km) of the shore of Gaza.

(Reporting by Gursimran Kaur in BengaluruEditing by Gareth Jones)