Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has criticized a Gaza-bound flotilla, warning it could escalate tensions and jeopardize peace efforts led by former President Donald Trump.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has condemned a Gaza-bound flotilla, which includes anti-Israel activists and notable figures such as Greta Thunberg. Her remarks come as Israel prepares for potential escalations in the ongoing conflict, raising concerns that the flotilla could undermine Donald Trump’s peace initiative.
Meloni asserted that the flotilla aims to disrupt Trump’s peace plan, stating on social media platform X, “The truth is simple: those aids can be delivered without risks. Insisting on wanting to force a naval blockade means making oneself—knowingly or not—an instrument of those who want to blow up every possibility of a ceasefire. Spare us the lesson in morality on peace if your goal is escalation. And do not exploit the civilian population of Gaza if you are not truly interested in their fate.”
The Trump administration has introduced a 20-point plan aimed at ending the conflict in Gaza and facilitating the release of Israeli hostages. However, the flotilla’s actions could redirect the narrative from diplomatic efforts back toward confrontation.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar echoed Meloni’s sentiments, stating on X, “The flotilla to Gaza is not a humanitarian act, but a dangerous provocation intended to inflame tensions and undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts.”
The Global Sumud Flotilla, which describes itself as a “multinational civilian effort to break Israel’s illegal siege of Gaza,” claims this is the largest attempt to breach Israel’s maritime blockade of the Gaza Strip, which has been in place for 18 years. Israel maintains that the blockade is essential for preventing Hamas from acquiring arms.
The flotilla is currently navigating waters within Israel’s exclusive economic zone and is expected to reach Israeli waters around Yom Kippur. It comprises nearly 50 vessels and hundreds of anti-Israel activists. In preparation, Israel has deployed 600 police officers and naval units, establishing a special court at Ktzi’ot Prison to process potential detainees. Security officials have warned of possible provocations at sea, with a senior Israeli police officer stating, “This is a sensitive and complex operation, and we are preparing for provocations.”
The flotilla has garnered international attention not only due to Thunberg’s involvement but also because of its connections across Europe and the region. The fleet departed from Barcelona, with activists supported by groups in Spain, which Israeli authorities allege have ties to Hamas operative Saif Abu Kashk. He is accused of running a front company that allegedly controls many of the ships involved in the flotilla.
Additionally, Turkey has been monitoring the flotilla with drones and has indicated it may offer assistance on humanitarian grounds. However, Turkey has faced accusations of providing shelter to Hamas members within its borders.
For Israel, the challenge lies in preventing the activists from reaching Gaza while avoiding an international incident that could benefit Hamas. As Trump seeks to solidify a peace deal, the impending confrontation at sea threatens to shift media focus away from diplomatic discussions and back toward conflict.
On Tuesday, Israeli officials released documents linking the flotilla’s organizers to Hamas through the Palestinian Conference for Palestinians Abroad (PCPA). This group, established in Turkey in 2017, has been designated a terrorist organization by Israel and is accused of acting as Hamas’s overseas arm.
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