There Global Sumud Flotillaan international initiative involving over 40 boats from as many countries, with hundreds of activists on board and about 200 tons of aid for the population of Gaza, was stopped by the Israeli Navy a few tens of miles from the strip. The interception took place on the night between Tuesday 30 September and Wednesday 1 October, when the ships exceeded what Israel considers a “red zone”.
According to Flotilla, the operation took place shortly after 20 Italians, when the Israeli naval units ordered the Alt and subsequently taken control of most of the boats. Several ships are now running towards the port of Ashdod, where they will be conducted by the afternoon of Thursday 2 October. From tomorrow, diplomatic sources know, the repatriation of foreign activists will begin.
Among the approximately 30 Italians on board there are also known names: the MEP Annalisa Corradothe deputy Pd Arturo Scottothe journalist Saverio Tommasithe war correspondent Barbara Schiavulliin addition to the president of Ucoii, Yassine LaframImam of Bologna. The union of the Islamic communities of Italy has denounced the “hostage grip” of its members and speaks of “act of piracy in international waters”. The tracking tool indicates at the moment that the 44 boats of the mission, only 4 are “in navigation”; The others have all been intercepted or presumed that they were (because the contacts on board were lost).
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajaniintervened in the Chamber, confirmed that at the moment “there are 22 Italians stopped”, but has reassured about their conditions: “They are all in good condition. Already from Friday the first departures could take place, especially for those who will agree to voluntarily leave Israel ». Tajani also reiterated that he received guarantees from the Israeli colleague Gideon Sa’ar on the treatment of our compatriots. The premier Giorgia Meloniengaged in the EU summit of Copenhagen, he assured that “we will do everything possible to bring our compatriots back home”, adding, however, that the initiative “will not bring benefits to the Palestinians, but only inconvenience to the Italians”.
Meanwhile, from the flotilla tracking site there are still four boats in navigation: two are running towards Cyprus, one is located in front of the Egyptian coast, while Mikeno is the closest to Gaza.
International reactions did not wait. There Spain He convened the Israeli affairs in Madrid to ask for clarifications on the detention of 65 of his citizens on board. There Norway He urged Israel to “respect international law”, while Irish premier Micheál Martin defined “a violation of international law” the interception in international waters.
In support of the Flotilla, demonstrations in different countries have been mobilized: in Tunis hundreds of people followed the developments on a maxischerus, chanting slogans in favor of the humanitarian convoy. In Italy, unions and associations have announced a general strike and mobilizations for Friday, unleashing the reaction of the Minister of Transport Matteo Salviniwho warned: “If someone blocks roads and railways, he will pay the consequences.”
The operation of the Israeli Navy was conducted with a large deployment of vehicles: according to Farnesina, 16 naval units participated in the abroad, “without violence and with precautionary measures to avoid accidents”. But the tension remains high: for Israel the naval block is a security measure against Hamas, for activists it is instead “an illegitimate siege” which prevents the arrival of vital aid in Gaza.
