Italy Summons Israeli Ambassador Over Treatment of Gaza Aid Flotilla Activists

The Italian government will summon the Israeli ambassador to demand an apology for the treatment of activists aboard a solidarity flotilla attempting to deliver aid to Gaza. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani described the conduct toward the activists as unacceptable and noted that previous government appeals had been ignored. Israel has acknowledged the detention of 430 activists, all of whom were transferred to Israeli vessels. However, the flotilla's organizing team alleges that the Israeli military illegally intercepted the ships and detained participants in international waters. The flotilla, consisting of 54 boats departing from the Mediterranean, aimed to break the blockade imposed on Gaza since 2007. The incident has sparked widespread international condemnation, renewing urgent calls for humanitarian aid to address the severe crisis in the Gaza Strip.