The Global Sumud Flotilla , the international expedition headed for the Strip , is getting ever closer to Gaza. "We remain vigilant as we enter the area where previous flotillas were intercepted or attacked," the organizers wrote.

Tensions on board remain high . "We are continuing without being intimidated by Israeli threats," they reiterate. In a video posted on her social media channels, AVS MEP Benedetta Scuderi, who is on board, says: " We saw the Israeli army approaching and we are taking up position ." Scuderi, wearing a life jacket, warns: " We don't know when we will be able to reopen communications." In the post accompanying the video, she writes: "The Israeli army is about to board our boats."

Live:

The Flotilla 90 miles from Gaza

" We are 90 miles from Gaza. I don't think an expedition has ever been this close and on this scale. This is why, on the one hand, we feel great pride, and on the other, anger, knowing we won't be able to get there." This is according to Democratic Party MP Arturo Scotto, aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla. "We will be intercepted in international waters and will likely be arrested," he says. " It would be an illegal act because it is taking place in international waters. We will follow the Sumud Flotilla's rules of engagement, which require passive resistance."

***

Crosetto: "We'll defend you even if you feel offended."

"To those few so-called 'activists' who don't feel represented by our Armed Forces, I feel compelled to say just one thing, to reassure them: in case of danger or threat, the Italian military will be ready to defend you." This is what Defense Minister Guido Crosetto wrote in X, commenting on "some 'activists' who in Palermo, in front of the Politeama theater, feel 'offended' by the mere fact of seeing an Italian Army stand 'while thousands of civilians are being exterminated in Gaza.' " "I am certain that the vast majority of Italians know, appreciate, and feel safer thanks to our Armed Forces."

***

Flotilla: "We ask institutions to be responsible."

"I always hear a lot of things about the activists aboard the Sumud Flotilla. They're called irresponsible and told it's time to take responsibility. So, we're the ones who have to hold the institutions accountable ," said Maria Elena Delia, spokesperson for the Italian delegation of the Global Sumud Flotilla. "I've never heard anyone ask, 'Why would these activists get hurt in international waters?' The answer is that when Israel is involved, the rules no longer apply, " Delia added. "The people on board deserve great respect because, after two years of genocide, no government has dared to do anything."

***

Meloni: "Palestinian suffering is perhaps not a priority for the Flotilla."

"This is a phase in which everyone should understand that exercising responsibility, waiting while peace negotiations take place, is perhaps the most useful thing we can do to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinians, but perhaps the suffering of the Palestinian people wasn't the priority ." This was stated by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, questioned about the Flotilla case on the sidelines of the EU summit. "The important thing is European support for the plan" for Gaza, "we are awaiting Hamas's response. And I believe that at this stage, faced with a possibility that would be historic, insisting on an initiative that carries margins of danger and irresponsibility..." Spain, she added, "is doing exactly what Italy has done."

***

The Swedish Prime Minister to Greta Thunberg: "Go home."

Arriving at the Copenhagen summit, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson urged activist and fellow citizen Greta Thunberg to "go home." The activist appealed to the government in the newspaper Expressen, published today: "Protect the rights of your citizens and ensure safe passage for humanitarian aid to Gaza." But the Swedish prime minister responded bluntly. "The government has said with a clarity that cannot be misinterpreted: we advise against all travel to Gaza for the next 10 years, and I've heard Italy say the same ." "Go home," he concluded.

***

"The Navy will use loudspeakers with the Flotilla: 'Go back!'"

Before the flotilla vessels reach Israeli territorial waters, the Navy will make announcements over loudspeakers, urging the activists to return to the countries from which they came. If they don't withdraw, the Navy will detain them and transfer them to Israel, Channel 12 reports. Afterwards, the activists will be allowed to voluntarily expel themselves, and if they refuse, they will be arrested and tried by a special court (not a regular court) for illegal entry into Israel. Some of the activists' vessels will be confiscated, and others will be sunk.

***

Madrid: "Our ship will not be able to enter the exclusion zone."

"The flotilla's mission is laudable and legitimate, but the lives of its members must take priority," the Spanish government told the flotilla's members, according to sources at Moncloa. Furthermore, the ship sent by Spain, Madrid reported, "will not be able to enter the exclusion zone established by the Israeli army, as this would put the physical safety of its crew and the flotilla itself at risk." Hence the call to stop and not proceed further.

***

Five Star Movement posts a photo from a ship's Flotilla: "That's Israel."

"That ship down there is Israel. Over there is a genocidal government; over here there are unarmed aid workers. According to our prime minister, those making this video are putting peace at risk." Five Star Movement (M5S) group leader in the Chamber of Deputies, Riccardo Ricciardi, wrote this on Facebook, posting a photo of a ship on the horizon taken by his colleague Marco Croatti aboard the Flotilla.

***

"We were surrounded at dawn."

A flotilla vessel was "aggressively surrounded" by an Israeli warship this morning, the Global Sumud Flotilla said in a statement, reported by Sky News. According to reports, the captain of one of the leading vessels was forced to make a sudden maneuver to avoid a head-on collision. Onboard communications were remotely disabled while the warship proceeded "dangerously close" for several minutes. According to the flotilla, the vessel then harassed another flotilla vessel with similar maneuvers.

***

«Unidentified vessels approaching»

"Unidentified vessels approached several Flotilla vessels during the night, some with their lights off. Participants implemented safety protocols in preparation for a possible boarding. The vessels have now moved away from the Flotilla," explained Maria Elena Delia, the Italian spokesperson for the Global Movement to Gaza. "We are continuing to sail toward Gaza, approaching the 120-nautical-mile limit," she added, "near the area where previous flotillas were intercepted and attacked."

- UPDATE IN PROGRESS -

(Unioneonline)

© Riproduzione riservata