Overview

• Participants have been anchored off Porto Palo since Sept. 14, stocking for roughly 10 days and troubleshooting overloaded electrical and Starlink systems, with a weak battery stalling a planned Sept. 19 morning departure as locals warned of rough conditions.
• Il Giornale reported that organizers announced 42 boats left Portopalo, with six others from Greece, though the scale and timing were not independently confirmed by other outlets at publication time.
• Crews describe scarce fresh water, too few or broken dinghies, and ad hoc assistance from local fishermen and residents for shore runs and supplies, sometimes paid and often volunteered.
• Organizers say all participants completed nonviolence training and will turn back if met with gunfire, presenting the effort as an attempt to deliver aid and pressure governments over the worsening crisis in Gaza.
• Greta Thunberg was not aboard the departing group, with Italian reports saying she remained in Siracusa after shifting to a boat that developed a tank problem, and it was unclear when she might rejoin.