Italy announced on Thursday, October 2nd that Israel had detained 22 Italians from the Global Sumud aid flotilla, as Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni repeated her criticism of its attempt to reach Gaza.
Meloni told reporters at a European Union meeting in Denmark
Obviously we will do everything we can to ensure these people can return to Italy as soon as possible… I continue to believe that all this brings no benefit to the Palestinian people.
Earlier, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told parliament that Israel had reportedly detained 22 Italians who were, as far as he knew, in good condition:
I am relieved to note that the rules of engagement have been respected and that, up to this point, no acts of violence or complications have been recorded in the operation carried out by the Israeli forces.
Two Italian MPs and two Italian members of the European Parliament participated in the Global Sumud Flotilla, which claims it will break Israel’s siege of Gaza.
On Wednesday, the Israeli navy began intercepting vessels in the flotilla after warning the activists against entering waters it says fall under its blockade.
Tajani said the activists would be sent to Europe on charter planes from as early as Friday.
Meloni, the head of a right-wing government, had previously called the flotilla a “dangerous, irresponsible” initiative—even while Italy sent a navy frigate to provide assistance.
