Italy and Spain send naval ships to protect Gaza aid flotilla
There’s been a major escalation in the Gaza flotilla crisis. Both Italy and Spain have dispatched naval ships to protect their citizens on the aid vessels.
The aid comes after organizers said drones attacked multiple flotilla ships.
The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) is a coalition of over 50 boats that set sail from Barcelona in August. The boats are loaded with food and supplies for Gaza. Organizers called it a humanitarian mission to break Israel’s naval blockade. But the voyage has become dangerous, with reports of at least a dozen drone strikes and damaged vessels in the Mediterranean.
The latest drone attack was reported on Tuesday, when GSF organizers said explosions were reported on several boats.
The attack occurred near the Greek island of Crete, still days from reaching Gaza. GSF blamed Israel for the attack, but the Israeli foreign ministry did not respond directly to the accusation.
New protections
Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, said his country would send a naval ship to “ensure safe passage and, if needed, rescue our citizens.” About 15 Spaniards are aboard.
“The government of Spain insists that international law be respected and that the right of our citizens should be respected to sail through the Mediterranean in safe conditions,” Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said.
On Thursday, Italy deployed a second frigate to support the flotilla. It sent its first frigate on Wednesday, hours after the GSF reported it had been targeted.
“We have sent one ship and another is on its way, ready for any eventuality,” Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said in a speech to the lower house of parliament.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the strikes. However, she urged activists to provide their help through official channels, calling the mission dangerous and irresponsible.
Israel’s stance
Israel maintains the flotilla will not be permitted to reach Gaza, asserting it breaches a legal blockade. The government said it’s willing to transfer the aid through its ports, where aid can be inspected and transferred to Gaza.
Israeli officials have accused flotilla members of ties to Hamas, and say any attempt to breach the naval blockade violates international law.
GSF organizers say the blockade itself is unlawful and deny any wrongdoing. Organizers assert they have no ties to Hamas or to any other extremist organization.
Italy’s defense minister has joined Meloni in warning the activists against insisting on trying to break the Israeli blockade. He urged them to accept an Italian proposal to hand aid supplies over and allow them to be distributed in Gaza by a local Catholic church.
Israel has already blocked multiple Gaza-bound boats this year. The Conscience was halted after explosions and a fire off the coast of Malta in May. In June, the Madleen — carrying activist Greta Thunberg — was intercepted. In July, the Handala was also turned back.
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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
