Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has told a flotilla sailing towards Gaza to stop, saying the latest attempt by activists to deliver aid risks derailing a US plan to end the war.
More than 40 boats sailing in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) have been accompanied by an Italian naval frigate, which Italian officials said would stop once the flotilla was 150 nautical miles (278km) from Gaza's shoreline.
Shortly after reaching that point, GSF said it was on high alert and that drone activity was increasing above the flotilla.
Meloni said the US proposal had sparked hope of ending the Israel-Hamas war, adding it was a fragile balance, which many would be happy to destroy.
I fear that the flotilla's attempt to break the Israeli naval blockade could serve as a pretext to do so, she said.
Israel has told the flotilla to deliver the humanitarian aid to an Israeli port instead, according to the AFP news agency.
The flotilla consists of more than 500 people, including Italian politicians and Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.
In a series of posts on Telegram, GSF said it has now entered the area where previous flotillas have been attacked and/or intercepted.
Italian officials have urged the flotilla to accept a compromise and drop the aid in Cyprus to avoid a confrontation with Israel.
Last week, Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto condemned an overnight drone attack by unidentified perpetrators on the flotilla.
Italy and Spain deployed naval ships to the flotilla after it reported explosions, drones overhead, and communications jamming.
Pope Leo XIV also expressed concern for the safety of the flotilla, urging that people be respected and violence be avoided.
In an interview with the BBC, Greta Thunberg pushed back against criticisms of the flotilla being a publicity stunt, emphasizing the serious nature of risking lives for humanitarian aid.
