Italy's PM Urges Gaza Aid Flotilla to Halt Amid Peace Efforts

Mon Oct 20 2025 02:49:00 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni warns aid activists that their flotilla could jeopardize a fragile US-led peace initiative in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has called on a flotilla of over 40 boats headed towards Gaza to cease its mission, stating that it risks undermining a new U.S. peace proposal aimed at ending the Israel-Hamas war. As the Global Sumud Flotilla sails under the protection of an Italian naval frigate, concerns grow over potential confrontations with Israeli naval forces. Meloni emphasized that this effort must be halted to maintain prospects for peace.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has told a flotilla sailing towards Gaza to stop, saying the latest attempt by activists to deliver aid risks derailing a US plan to end the war.

More than 40 boats sailing in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) have been accompanied by an Italian naval frigate, which Italian officials said would stop once the flotilla was 150 nautical miles (278km) from Gaza's shoreline.

Shortly after reaching that point on Wednesday, GSF said it was on high alert and that drone activity was increasing above the flotilla.

Meloni said the US proposal had sparked hope of ending the Israel-Hamas war, adding it was a fragile balance, which many would be happy to destroy.

I fear that the flotilla's attempt to break the Israeli naval blockade could serve as a pretext to do so, Meloni said.

Israel has told the flotilla to deliver the humanitarian aid to an Israeli port instead, according to the AFP news agency.

The flotilla consists of more than 500 people, including Italian politicians and Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.

In a series of posts on Telegram early on Wednesday morning, GSF said that it has now entered the area where previous flotillas have been attacked and/or intercepted.

Italian officials have urged the flotilla to accept a compromise and drop the aid in Cyprus to avoid confrontation with Israel.

Meloni stated, Any other choice risks becoming a pretext for preventing peace, fuelling conflict and therefore affecting above all the people of Gaza.

However, the Global Sumud Flotilla affirmed it would continue its mission. The Italian navy will not derail this mission. The humanitarian demand to break the blockade cannot be walked back to port, it said.

Last week, Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto condemned what he described as an overnight drone attack by unidentified perpetrators on the flotilla. Italy and Spain deployed naval ships to the flotilla after explosions and drone activity were reported.

Pope Leo XIV also expressed concern for the safety of the flotilla, emphasizing the importance of avoiding violence. Greta Thunberg countered criticisms of the flotilla being a publicity stunt, saying, I don't think anyone would risk their life for a publicity stunt.

The US peace plan for Gaza proposes an immediate cease-fire and the release of hostages in exchange for the detention of Gazans.