Meloni repeats criticism of Gaza flotilla, as 40 Italians detained by Israel

Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni repeated her criticism of the Global Sumud Flotilla's attempt to deliver aid to Gaza, as 40 Italians on board were detained by Israeli forces. 

"Obviously we will do everything we can to ensure these people can return to Italy as soon as possible," Meloni told reporters at a European Union meeting in Denmark.

But she added: "I continue to believe that all this brings no benefit to the Palestinian people".

After initially saying that 22 Italians were reportedly detained by Israel this morning, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani later updated that number to 40.

Two Italian members of parliament and two Italian members of the European Parliament were aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla, which aimed to break Israel's siege of Gaza.

On Wednesday, the Israeli navy began illegally intercepting vessels in the flotilla and transferring the activists on board to Ashdod port in Israel. 

Thousands of protesters gathered in Rome and Naples on Wednesday evening in solidarity with the flotilla, while Italian trade unions have called for a general strike on Friday.

"Israel is violating international law. It is time to block everything," said the USB union.

Reporting by AFP