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ToI Staff
Following Israeli strike, Trump signs order committing US to defend Qatar if attacked again * Gaza flotilla accuses Israel of ‘intimidation’ as it nears possible interception * Italy and Greece ask flotilla activists to compromise, call on Israel not to hurt them
>>All eyes on the flotilla now:
Gaza flotilla rebuffs calls to stop, as Israel readies for complex interception Italy’s calls for 47-vessel convoy to stop are ‘sabotage,’ say organizers; Navy prepares to seize hundreds of activists, as some 600 police to take part in detaining, deporting them
By Agencies, Emanuel Fabian
and ToI Staff Today, 3:58 am
Members of the group of ships of the Global Sumud Flotilla to Gaza are seen moored at the small island of Koufonisi, south of the island of Crete, on September 26, 2025. (Photo by Eleftherios ELIS / AFP)
The large flotilla attempting to break the Israeli maritime blockade on the Gaza Strip rejected Italy’s calls to stop late Tuesday, saying it was nearing a “critical zone” and expecting Israel to take action soon to stop its advance.
Israeli authorities have been readying to intercept the dozens of vessels and take the hundreds of activists to shore to be deported or detained, in a complex operation that could potentially come to a head during Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year in Judaism, which starts Wednesday evening.
The 47-boat Global Sumud Flotilla is set to reach the Strip this week. It is carrying over 500 activists, including Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg, as well as parliamentarians and lawyers.
The Israeli Navy is set to intercept the boats, and in the past has done so well before the activists were able to get close to Gaza’s coast. Israel has previously dismissed the flotillas as publicity stunts. On Tuesday, it accused some key participants of having ties to Hamas.
The flotilla is approaching the 150-nautical-mile (172-mile, 278-kilometer) limit off Gaza’s Mediterranean coast. Flotilla participants told The Associated Press they expected Israeli authorities to intervene as they approached a “critical zone” late Tuesday. An Italian spokeswoman for the flotilla, Maria Elena Delia, said in a video on Instagram that “Israel will probably attack us tonight, because all the signals point to this happening.”
The Israeli Navy is set to intercept the boats, and in the past has done so well before the activists were able to get close to Gaza’s coast. Israel has previously dismissed the flotillas as publicity stunts. On Tuesday, it accused some key participants of having ties to Hamas.
The flotilla is approaching the 150-nautical-mile (172-mile, 278-kilometer) limit off Gaza’s Mediterranean coast. Flotilla participants told The Associated Press they expected Israeli authorities to intervene as they approached a “critical zone” late Tuesday. An Italian spokeswoman for the flotilla, Maria Elena Delia, said in a video on Instagram that “Israel will probably attack us tonight, because all the signals point to this happening.”
etc. : timesofisrael.com
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