The international flotilla, carrying Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, which is trying to deliver aid to Gaza on Wednesday said that drone activity is increasing over the flotilla as it is nearing its destination. The Global Sumud Flotilla, which has over 40 civilian boats and more than 500 people, including parliamentarians, lawyers and climate campaigners aims to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza. Informing about the development, the Global Sumud Flotilla in a post on Instagram wrote, “We have now entered the high-risk zone, the area where previous flotillas have been attacked and/or intercepted.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Global Sumud Flotilla (@globalsumudflotilla) The flotilla was allegedly attacked last week and the activists onboard the flotilla had accused the Israeli government of sponsoring the strikes, though Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu-led administration has not responded to the accusations. However, the Israeli authorities have vowed to restrict the boats from reaching Gaza and said they could use any means necessary to achieve it. The Israeli administration has argued that its naval blockade is legal which is a part of its war against the Gaza-based Hamas militant group. Italy ends support for Gaza flotilla Italy has announced that it will stop tracking the Gaza flotilla after activists on board the boats announced they were on “high alert” as they moved closer to their destination. As the Gaza flotilla reaches 150 nautical miles (278 km) of Gaza’s shoreline, the Italian frigate which is accompanying the flotilla would stop, according to the Italian defence ministry. Italy has urged the flotilla to accept a compromise and drop the aid in a Cyprus port in order to avoid confrontation with the Israeli forces. However, the Global Sumud Flotilla rejected the Italian proposal and said, “We say again: the flotilla sails onwards. The Italian navy will not derail this mission. The humanitarian demand to break the blockade cannot be walked back to port.” (with inputs from Reuters)
