Overview

• Roughly 42–46 civilian vessels carrying about 530 people are closing on the declared interception area in international waters, with Italy’s frigate Alpino set to halt and turn back around 100–120 nautical miles from Gaza.
• Israel has told Rome it will prevent any attempt to breach the naval blockade, with President Isaac Herzog conveying orders to intervene without lethal force.
• The Israeli military published documents alleging Hamas involvement in financing the flotilla, which organizers reject as propaganda and ask to be vetted by independent bodies.
• Positions on board diverge, as some participants including Italian Democratic Party lawmakers say they will stop at an Israeli hail and accept arrest, while other crews intend to continue toward Gaza.
• Activists report drone surveillance and earlier damage to some boats and suspect sabotage, Turkey says it is ready to support search-and-rescue if needed, and proposals to offload in Cyprus for transfer to Gaza remain on the table but have been declined so far.