Italian ships of Global Sumud Flotilla set sail for Gaza. Scuderi: “People thank us, governments must take action”

Brussels – After days of waiting, the dozens of boats that will be joining the Global Sumud Flotilla from Italy in an attempt to break the Israeli blockade and deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip are untying their moorings. Reached by Eunews in Syracuse, MEP Benedetta Scuderi, from the Greens group, recounted the agitated phases before departure: “People are thanking us, we hope that governments will take action if our rights are violated.”  

The first group of boats, anchored in the port of Sidi Bou Said, near Tunis, hoisted their sails yesterday. Between them, the two boats hit from incendiary devices launched by small drones in recent nights. In a statement, Flotilla crews say they are “even more determined to continue” the mission after these intimidating attacks. After a press conference—scheduled for 2 pm—and a garrison at the marina in Ortigia, it will be the turn of all the boats that have gathered in Sicily over the past few days from various ports in Italy.

“Fairly small boats, from 11 to 15 metres, sailing, civil and non-commercial,” which basically “can sail in territorial waters,” explains Scuderi. On his, there will be 11 on board, in addition to the humanitarian aid loaded yesterday at the port of Augusta. “The aim is to get the aid in, there is a real will to create the humanitarian corridor,” she adds. This is why the two Italian MEPs—Scuderi and Dem Annalisa Corrado—and the two national parliamentarians—Marco Croatti (M5S) and Arturo Scotto (PD)—on board, asked for “the support of the government and the Foreign Ministry from the start.” 

From Rome, so far, “what has been said has been said in fits and starts,” complains Scuderi. Prime Minister Meloni initially said she would “protect the citizens.” Foreign Minister Tajani today asked his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Sa’ar, to guarantee the rights of the Italians on the Flotilla. “We are far from the diplomatic protection” announced by Madrid for the Spanish citizens on board, the MEP admitted, but “I hope the government will take action if something happens.” 

The scenarios are varied, some very risky, and the crews were made aware of them before departure. In 2010, the Israeli military had opened fire on a Freedom Flotilla boat and killed 10 activists. In the last two attempts, in June and July 2025, the ships Madleen and Handala were intercepted and boarded by the Israeli navy, and the crew members detained and later expelled from Tel Aviv. 

The Israeli Minister of National Security, the religious extremist Itamar Ben-Gvir, warned that Israel will “treat activists as terrorists.” It means they will be held in solitary confinement cells, without access to special privileges such as TV, radio, and specific food. “This is another attempt at intimidation,” Scuderi comments, stressing that “treating people who want to bring humanitarian aid as terrorists would be extremely serious behaviour.” 

A few days ago, a European Commission spokesman denied Brussels’ support for the civilian mission, stating instead that “actions of this kind risk escalation.” Yesterday, in front of the European Parliament, for the first time in two years of conflict, Ursula von der Leyen announced that she will propose a partial suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement and sanctions against the most extremist Israeli ministers (including Ben-Gvir). “A delay that has no justification,” underlines Scuderi, and proposals that “fall short of what should be done. Proposals in any case due to “all the pressure of the Flotilla, of the mobilisation from below, and of a motion of no confidence against her” also due to complicity with Israel.