Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has urged an activist flotilla sailing toward Gaza to stop, warning that their mission to deliver aid could interfere with US President Donald Trump’s peace efforts.

An Italian naval frigate has been escorting more than 40 boats involved in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF). However, Italian officials confirmed that this escort would end once the vessels reach a point 150 nautical miles (278 km) from Gaza’s coast.

On Wednesday, flotilla organizers said they were on “high alert,” claiming that drone activity over the ships was “increasing.”

Trump’s Peace Plan Sparks Tensions

Trump recently announced a 20-point peace proposal aimed at ending the Gaza conflict. The plan requires Hamas to give up its weapons, a condition that the group is expected to reject.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has already accepted Trump’s plan, while Qatar’s foreign ministry said Hamas is reviewing it “responsibly.”

Meloni said the US proposal has created “hope” for peace but stressed that the situation was delicate. She explained, “It was a fragile balance, which many would be happy to destroy.”

Concerns Over Naval Blockade

Meloni expressed concern that the flotilla’s attempt to break Israel’s naval blockade could backfire. “I fear that the flotilla’s attempt to break the Israeli naval blockade could serve as a pretext to do so,” she said.

According to AFP, Israel has asked flotilla organizers to deliver humanitarian aid at an Israeli port instead of directly entering Gaza.

The convoy includes over 500 people, including Italian lawmakers and Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.

In a Telegram post, the GSF said it had entered a dangerous area “where previous flotillas have been attacked and/or intercepted.”

Flotilla Vows to Continue

Despite warnings, the Global Sumud Flotilla announced it would not turn back. “The Italian navy will not derail this mission. The humanitarian demand to break the blockade cannot be walked back to port,” the group said in a statement.

Meloni reiterated her warning, adding, “Any other choice risks becoming a pretext for preventing peace, fuelling conflict and therefore affecting above all the people of Gaza.”