29/09/2025
Organisers of an international aid flotilla said last Friday that they would press on with attempts to break an Israeli naval siege on Gaza, despite Italy's suggestion to accept a compromise proposal.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, made up of about 50 civilian boats, was hit on Wednesday by drones carrying stun grenades and itching powder in international waters 30 nautical miles (56 km) off the Greek island of Gavdos. No one was injured, but vessels suffered some damage. The GSF blamed Israel, which did not respond to the accusation but said it would use any means to block the boats' access to Gaza.
Italian President Sergio Mattarella urged the flotilla's organisers to accept a proposal to drop off its aid supplies in Cyprus and hand them to the Catholic Church's Latin
Patriarchate of Jerusalem for distribution in Gaza. Israel said it backed the idea, but the flotilla rejected it.