The Global Sumud Flotilla entered the high risk area in front of Gaza. Israel announces severe rules of engagement, while Italy and Europe follow with growing tension a case that intertwines humanitarian aid, safety and international diplomacy.
The Global Sumud Flotilla has passed the 120 nautical miles from Gaza And it entered the area classified at high risk by the Israeli authorities. The first contacts with the Navy took place already at dawn, when the Alma and Sirius ships were joined by two military patrol boats. Sirius, who now leads the convoy, has reported the sighting of an Israeli submarine along the route. In the meantime, a naval unit has sailed from Ashdod which, according to local sources, could intercept the boats in the early afternoon.
The challenge of activists
On social media, activists reacted with a challenge message: “We continue to navigate without letting ourselves be discouraged by Israel’s threats and intimidating tactics”. A position that, in the eyes of Jerusalem, confirms the non -humanitarian nature of the mission, considered instead as apolitical operation built to cause a clash.
The rules of engagement
According to what is anticipated by Channel 12, the Israeli engagement rules They include a precise sequence: the Navy will warn the crews with speakers, inviting them to return to the ports of origin. In case of refusal, the interception will start: the activists will be transferred to Israel, where they will be offered the possibility of leaving the country voluntarily. Those who refuse will be arrested and tried by a special court for illegal entry, not by an ordinary court. Some ships will be seized, others may be sunk.
The position of the Israeli ambassador
To strengthen the Jerusalem line, the Israeli ambassador to Italy intervened, Jonathan Peledwho recalled how the Flotilla rejected any attempt at mediation: «They did not listen to the appeals of Prime Minister Meloni, the President Mattarella and the Vatican. They refused the Italian proposal to get aid to Cyprus, entrusting them to the Latin patriarchy of Jerusalem. They also rejected Israel’s invitation to dock in Ashkelon for a safe and coordinated aid transfer. This systematic refusal shows that the goal is not humanitarian, but provocative. They don’t try to help, they look for an accident. Flotilla assumes full and total responsibility for this situation and its consequences ».
The ambassador then stressed that Israel remains in close contact with the Italian authorities “to support them in guaranteeing the conditions of people on board”, but does not intend to give in to Naval block principleconsidered indispensable to prevent the traffic of weapons in favor of Hamas.
The attention of Italy
The story was also followed in Italy. The Copasir He asked for and obtained updates from the intelligence services, Aisi and Aise, confirming that the operation is not read as a simple civil initiative of solidarity, but as an event that directly affects the issues of national security.
Divisions in Europe
Divisions emerge on the European front. Madrid has decided not to directly engage the frigate Furywhich will remain far from the flotilla and intervene only in the event of an emergency. A choice that caused bitterness among the activists, starting from the former mayor of Barcelona, Ada Colauembarked on the Alma: «We hoped that the frigate accompanied us to the strip and guaranteed diplomatic protection. Instead he remains behind, “he said in an interview with Tve. Then the political lunge: “European governments must stop pulling back and stop Israel once and for all, because it is endangered the whole of humanity”.
The Israeli line
Jerusalem rejects the accusations to the sender and reiterates its position: the flotilla had more than one possibility of getting aid without risk, from the humanitarian channel of Cyprus to the port of Ashkelon. The systematic refusal of all these solutions observe Israeli sources, shows that the aim is not the rescue to the population of Gaza, but the political challenge to Israel.
This is why, in the judgment of the Israeli government, the real responsibilities do not fall on those who defend the security of their borders, but on those who deliberately chosen the path of the clash. The flotilla presents itself as a peace mission, but has rejected any compromise useful to deliver the aid. In doing so, activists have transformed a load of basic necessities into a pretext to generate an international accident.
Naval blockage and international law
Jerusalemme also recalls that the naval block imposed on Gaza It is recognized by international law, as a legitimate measure of self -defense in the presence of an armed conflict. Israel claims that interrupting that block would mean opening the door to the smuggling of weapons and the direct threat against its own civilian population. In this context, those looking for the provocation will have to take the consequences of their choices.
