Gaza flotilla says unlit vessels approached its boats, prompting security measures

"The Global Sumud Flotilla said in post on Telegram that the vessels have departed, and participants implemented security protocols in anticipation of a possible interception. Among the hundreds of activists on board are Greta Thunberg and Cork's Tadhg Hickey. Last week, the boat Mr Hickey is aboard, Alma, was subjected to a drone attack while off the coast of Greece. The week before this, part of his boat caught fire in a drone attack while off the coast of Tunisia."

"Meanwhile, Italy's navy will stop following the international flotilla trying to deliver aid to Gaza once it gets within 150 nautical miles (278 km) of the shore, the Italian defence ministry said on Tuesday. The Global Sumud Flotilla, consisting of more than 40 civilian boats carrying parliamentarians, lawyers and activists including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, aims to break Israel's blockade of the Palestinian enclave."

"Once the convoy reaches the 150 nautical miles limit, the Italian frigate accompanying it will stop, "as communicated several times in recent days," the ministry said in a statement. The ship will issue two warnings to activists, with the second and final one foreseen at around 00:00 GMT, when the flotilla is expected to get within the stated distance, the statement added."

"Earlier on Tuesday, an Italian spokeswoman for the flotilla, Maria Elena Delia, said that activists had been informed about the government's plans to have the navy ship stop and turn back to avoid "a diplomatic incident" with Israel. She said the flotilla had no intention of heeding Italy's warnings not to get closer to the shore. Italy and Spain deployed navy vessels last week to assist the flotilla,"

The Global Sumud Flotilla departed with participants implementing security protocols against a possible interception. More than 40 civilian boats carry hundreds of activists, including Greta Thunberg and Irish activist Tadhg Hickey. Hickey's boat Alma suffered a drone attack off Greece last week and a prior drone-related fire off Tunisia. Italy's navy will accompany the convoy only until it reaches 150 nautical miles from Gaza, after which the frigate will stop and issue two warnings. Activists were informed of the navy's plans, said they do not intend to heed warnings, and are bracing for further strikes.

Read at Irish Independent