The Italian government today condemned the seizure by Israeli forces of ships belonging to the Sumud Global Flotilla and called for the immediate release of the Italian activists illegally detained during the operation, reports Anadolu.

In a brief statement, the conservative government led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni asked Israel to “fully respect international law” and guarantee the safety of those on board. Flotilla organizers said the vessels were intercepted overnight in international waters near Greece.

Italian media reported that some 24 Italians were among those taken into custody. Meloni’s government said it remains committed to providing humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip “within the framework of international cooperation and in accordance with international law”.

The flotilla said Israeli forces seized 21 ships on Wednesday evening a few miles from Greek territorial waters while another 17 escaped and reached Greek waters. The group says the mission is transporting humanitarian aid to Gaza and aims to challenge Israel’s naval blockade of the territory.

Israel’s foreign ministry said on social media company X that about 175 activists from more than 20 ships of the flotilla were “peacefully heading towards Israel”.

The Italian branch of the flotilla described the operation as an “armed intervention in international waters”, calling it a violation of of international law and urging Rome and the European Union to take diplomatic steps.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said today that he had instructed Italy’s crisis unit and its embassies in Tel Aviv and Athens to seek clarification from Israeli and Greek authorities and to take the necessary measures to protect the Italian citizens involved.

Organizers said about 60 ships and approximately 1,000 activists are taking part in the flotilla, which set sail in recent weeks from ports including Marseille and Barcelona in Spain and Syracuse in Sicily. An earlier attempt last year ended after Israeli forces seized boats in international waters and deported hundreds of activists.

The new incident comes amid a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas reached in October 2025, which officially ended more than two years of fighting in Gaza. Large-scale fighting has subsided while sporadic violence and disputes over aid distribution, troop withdrawals and the governance of Gaza after the war have continued, slowing efforts to advance the next stages of the deal.

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Source: prizrenpost