Title: Activists on Flotilla Near Gaza Prepare for Possible Interception

Activists aboard a flotilla heading toward Gaza are bracing for potential intervention by the Israeli navy. The group, known as the Global Sumud Flotilla, includes prominent figures such as Greta Thunberg and Mandla Mandela, the grandson of Nelson Mandela. The flotilla consists of nearly 50 boats and around 500 activists carrying a symbolic amount of humanitarian aid. They remain committed to breaking the Israeli blockade of Gaza.

"Every minute we advance a little more," said Thiago Ávila, a leader of the flotilla, during an online news conference from the Alma, one of the motherships. The vessels were navigating international waters north of Egypt on Wednesday morning when they entered what activists refer to as a "danger zone." This area has been previously marked by Israeli authorities as off-limits, where the Israeli navy has historically intercepted other flotillas.

Overnight, activists reported that two Israeli warships approached their boats aggressively, circling them and jamming communications, including live feeds from onboard cameras. "It was an intimidation act; they wanted us to see them," said Lisi Proença, an activist on the Sirius, one of the targeted vessels.

Following this encounter, the military vessels departed, allowing the flotilla to continue its journey. By Wednesday afternoon, the atmosphere on some boats appeared more relaxed, with activists displaying messages of solidarity with Gaza and chanting, "Free Palestine!" Music played in the background as they broadcast their journey live.

If uninterrupted, the flotilla is expected to reach Gaza's shores by Thursday morning. However, activists expressed skepticism about this timeline, anticipating that Israeli authorities would attempt to stop them, as has occurred in previous missions.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar labeled the flotilla a provocation, urging the activists to redirect their aid through other channels. "It is not too late," he posted on social media. The Israeli government has accused some flotilla members of having ties to Hamas, claims that activists have vehemently denied, asserting that Israel is using these accusations to justify potential actions against them.

European governments, including Spain and Italy, which had previously sent naval escorts for part of the flotilla's journey, have urged the activists to turn back to avoid confrontation. Italy's government warned that any incursion beyond the designated "danger zone" would be viewed as a "hostile act."

In contrast, Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez defended the flotilla's mission, stating, "We must remember it is a humanitarian mission that wouldn’t be taking place if the Israeli government had allowed for the entry of aid." He assured that Spanish participants would receive full diplomatic protection, emphasizing that they pose no threat to Israel.