Overview

• Global Sumud Flotilla declined President Sergio Mattarella’s call to accept the Latin Patriarchate’s mediation to offload aid in Cyprus for transfer via Ashdod.
• Italian Navy frigate Alpino and a Spanish vessel are accompanying the boats in international waters, and Defense Minister Guido Crosetto says Italy cannot guarantee safety inside Israeli‑controlled areas.
• The convoy remains south of Crete after activists reported drone‑deployed blinding devices days earlier and a lead vessel suffered a mechanical failure, while talks continue and the Italian spokesperson returned to Rome for consultations.
• Organizers announced a separate sailing from Catania on September 27 at 5 p.m. from San Giovanni Li Cuti, part of a plan for sequenced departures.
• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s UN speech was pushed into Gaza via loudspeakers and SMS as he wore a QR code referencing October 7, while President Trump said he discussed Gaza with Netanyahu and would not allow West Bank annexation.