Italy PM tells Gaza aid flotilla to stop or risk ‘preventing peace’
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has publicly urged the Gaza aid flotilla to halt its mission, warning that continuing could risk undermining recent peace initiatives and escalate conflict in the region. Meloni emphasized that any attempt by the flotilla to breach Israel’s naval blockade could provide a pretext for increased tension, potentially jeopardizing a fragile balance set by US President Donald Trump’s new peace proposal.
Meloni’s Warning and Peace Efforts
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Meloni stressed the importance of maintaining stability in the region, noting that many actors would be eager to disrupt current peace negotiations.
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She suggested that delivering aid through alternate means, such as unloading supplies in Cyprus or accepting proposals for safe transfer via Israel, would be preferable to direct confrontation with the blockade.
Flotilla Details and International Tensions
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The Global Sumud Flotilla, comprising over 40 civilian boats and featuring notable participants such as Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and Italian lawmakers, aims to challenge the Israeli naval blockade and directly deliver humanitarian supplies to Gaza.
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Italy, initially providing a naval escort, stated that its frigate would stop accompanying the flotilla once it reached 150 nautical miles (278 km) from Gaza’s coast.
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Israeli authorities have instructed the flotilla to deliver aid to an Israeli port for distribution, while activists have refused, citing concerns about aid delays and the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Regional and Political Implications
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Meloni linked her statements to broader diplomatic efforts, referencing Trump’s peace plan which calls for a ceasefire, hostage releases, disarmament of militants, and a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
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Italian officials and international observers fear that any conflict arising from the flotilla’s actions could disrupt recent hopes for peace and disproportionately affect the civilian population of Gaza.
Italy’s PM has warned the aid flotilla to stand down or risk obstructing current peace processes, urging consideration of compromise solutions amid international concerns about escalating the conflict.
