Overview

• Most Global Sumud vessels remain anchored near Koufonissi off southern Crete with Italian and Spanish naval ships nearby, as Italy warns participants they proceed at their own risk.
• President Sergio Mattarella urged acceptance of the church-brokered handoff to safeguard lives, drawing support from government and opposition figures including Giorgia Meloni, Antonio Tajani, the PD leadership and Giuseppe Conte.
• Flotilla leaders insist they will sail for Gaza to challenge what they call an illegal blockade, while Israel says it will not allow breaches of a legitimate naval blockade or entry into an active combat zone.
• Activists report a prior night-time drone attack in international waters and a major engine failure on the lead vessel Family, which has turned back, with some participants stepping off the mission.
• The flotilla’s Italian spokeswoman Maria Elena Delia has returned to Italy to engage institutions as talks continue, and a separate convoy from Catania is scheduled to depart on September 27 to join the effort.