The 46 ships of the Global Sumud Flotilla, set off from Crete to Gaza, are sailing in international waters escorted by drones, amid fears of a new attack after those in recent days. The mission’s Italian spokeswoman, Maria Elena Delia, said that so far there have been no attacks, but the situation remains dangerous. Some of the ships have been damaged earlier, including the Zefiro, whose captain, Stefano Bertoldi, warned that another attack “could result in serious injuries or even fatalities.”
Bertoldi called on citizens to mobilize: "Don't leave the activists alone, governments will do nothing for us. It's the people's time, to take to the streets to defend their lives." He criticized the Italian government and Defense Minister Guido Crosetto for an "irresponsible attitude," as Rome has only been committed to rescuing the wounded in the event of an attack.
On the political front, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani called on the activists to turn back, recalling President Sergio Mattarella's appeal for aid to be sent through the Jerusalem Patriarchate. At the same time, the Israeli Foreign Ministry accused the flotilla of not accepting offers to deliver the cargo to Cyprus and that the mission has "only a provocative purpose to serve Hamas."
On the other hand, the Stop ReArm Europe network, which includes over 200 organizations, warned that if the flotilla is attacked, Italy will face widespread protests and a "social nationalization", against rearmament policies and in support of Palestine.
