An Italian naval frigate escorting the Gaza-bound Sumud humanitarian aid flotilla is set to withdraw from the mission as the ships approach 150 nautical miles from the enclave, organizers said Tuesday.
"The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has informed us that the naval frigate shadowing our flotilla will soon issue a radio call, offering participants the ‘opportunity’ to abandon ship and return to shore before reaching the so-called ‘critical zone’,” the group said in a statement.
The organizers accused Rome of "sabotage," claiming the decision was meant to "demoralize and fracture a peaceful humanitarian mission that governments have failed to take on themselves."
They described Italy’s stance as "cowardice dressed up as diplomacy," arguing that if Rome truly sought to protect lives, it would use its naval fleet to ensure the safe passage of volunteers to Gaza rather than act as "Israel’s enabler.”
"Every single participant on board came with full knowledge of the risks," the statement added. "We are here because it is far more dangerous to remain silent in the face of genocide, starvation, and collective punishment than it is to sail carrying humanitarian aid."
