Flotilla to Reach Interception Zone Wednesday

Rome: The Global Sumud Flotilla is set to leave international waters and reach the point where it risks being intercepted by the Israeli authorities on Wednesday, Tony Lapiccirella, an Italian activist on one of the boats taking part in the bid to break through the Israeli blockade to get aid to Gaza, said on Monday. “We are 300 miles from the Strip,” Lapiccirella said. “In two days we will be in the interception zone and in three days we will be in Gaza. The mission is headed to Gaza: it is the only way to open a permanent humanitarian channel. Stopping in Cyprus or any other route changes were never considered.”

According to Ansa News Agency, Defence Minister Guido Crosetto warned a group of activists representing the flotilla during a meeting on Sunday that “there is a risk of dramatic effects” if they press ahead with their plan to break though the Israeli blockade. Crosetto called for “every effort so that a sense of responsibility prevails,” arguing that “channels are already in place” to get aid to Palestinian civilians in Gaza. Last week Crosetto warned that Italy will not be able to do anything to protect the flotilla once it leaves international waters.

The Italian Navy has a frigate sailing close to the flotilla, which includes the involvement of a number of Italian boats and civilians, including some Italian MPs and MEPs, after it came under a drone attack last week. President Sergio Mattarella has also appealed to the flotilla to refrain from trying to break through the blockade, calling for it to accept an offer from the Catholic Church for it to take the aid it is carrying to Cyprus for the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem to then take it to Gaza.