Overview

• Organisers say roughly 40–42 vessels carrying about 500–530 people are about 300 nautical miles from Gaza, expecting to reach the interception area in about two days.
• Lawmakers from Italy’s Democratic Party aboard the Karma state they will stop at the first Israeli order and describe the effort as non-violent, continuing in international waters until then.
• Israel informed Rome it will prevent any breach of the naval blockade and has instructed forces to avoid using lethal force during an interdiction.
• The Italian Navy’s Alpino is shadowing for search-and-rescue and medical support, will not escort the flotilla past the blockade, and will issue a final advisory before holding position at 100–120 miles.
• Defense Minister Guido Crosetto cautions of “unmanageable” dangers and a high risk of incidents given the number of boats, as the mission reports technical setbacks including a motor failure on Johnny M and a Turkish Red Crescent evacuation.