The flotilla activist on the way to Gaza says the drones attacked their boats during the night

Activists who participate in a flotilla Seeking to break the Israeli block of Gaza on Wednesday that some of his boats were attacked by drones during the night while navigating southern Greece.

He Global Sumud Flotilla He said he was attacked during the night by “unidentified and intermediate communications drones.” He said that “at least 13 explosions” were heard in several flotilla ships and their surroundings, while drones or airplanes dropped “unidentified objects” into at least 10 ships.

No victims were reported, but there was damage to the vessels and “generalized obstruction in communications,” he added. The activists published a brief video that showed what appeared to be an explosion in or near one of the ships.

Greece’s coast guard did not report any anguish call.

The Israeli army did not immediately answer the questions about the attack.

The flotilla, which the organizers include around 50 ships and participants from dozen countries, carries humanitarian aid, including food and medicine, for Palestinians in Gaza.

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs has accused the organizers of being linked to Hamas, reject the organizers of the accusation. Israel has proposed that activists download their help in the Israeli port of Ashkelon to be transported to Gaza, saying that it will not accept any violation of its blockade.

Italy condemned the attack and activated a Frigate from the Navy to be available for possible rescue operations, said Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto. Crosetto said the Frigate of the Italian Navy Fasan, who was sailing north of Crete, “already headed towards the area for possible rescue operations.” Italy has informed Israel about the decision.

“In a democracy, manifestations and forms of protest must also be protected when they are carried out according to international law and without resorting to violence,” Crosetto said.

Meanwhile, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Relations said that its computer systems had been overwhelmed by a “mail bombing” campaign in which thousands of what they said were false emails flooded their servers after the attack on the flotilla.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Global Sumud Flotilla had sent an urgent appeal to their supporters asking them to send by email to the ministry demanding that you take a firm position to condemn the attack on the flotilla, protect the participants and put diplomatic pressure on those responsible.

The emails “had the effect of hindering the work” of the Crisis Unit of the Ministry, which has been the main point of contact for Italian citizens aboard the flotilla, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement.

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told legislators earlier this month that he had personally called Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar to urge Israel to respect the rights of Italian activists who participate in the flotilla.

Tajani said at that time that 58 Italians were on the flotilla, including some legislators.

The European Union also warned of any use of force.

“Freedom of navigation under international law must be confirmed,” said Eva Hrncirova, spokesman for the European Commission.

The UN Human Rights Office spokesman Thameen Al-Kheetan asked for an investigation, saying “attacks and threats against those who try to deliver help and support the hundreds of thousands of people in Gaza suffering from famine and hunger challenge belief.”

Swedish activist Greta Thunbergwhich is aboard one of the ships, called on strikes as a “fear tactic” and implored the supporters of the flotilla to remain focused on Gaza instead of the activists.

“We were aware of the risks of this type of attack and that is not something that will stop us,” said Thunberg in a live broadcast. “The most important thing is that drones hit ourselves. Drones are something that Palestinians experience 24-7”.

Italian activist Simone Zambrin said the drones “have been flying over our heads for days” and Wednesday “devices in our ships, damaging both the candles and the audience of some of the members of our crew.”

She said Israel was trying to “instill fear because she is afraid of our arrival.”

Greg Stoker, an American activist aboard one of the ships, said in a publication on social networks that the ship’s radio communications also suffered interference, with the Jammers playing an abba song on the radio channel that the flotilla was using.

The flotilla has reported several attacks since it sailed from Spain on September 1, including two, while some of its ships were in Tunisian waters.

Activists say it is the biggest attempt to go out to break the Israeli maritime block of the Gaza Strip, which has now lasted 18 years, before the current war in Gaza. Israel says that the blockade is necessary to prevent Hamas from mattersing weapons, while critics consider it collective punishment.

The war of almost two years has killed more than 65,000 Palestinians, according to the Ministry of Health led by Hamas de Gaza. The ministry does not say how many were civilians or combatants, but says that around half were women and children.

The main world authority in hunger crisis said last month that the blockade of Israel and the ongoing offensive had already pushed Gaza City a famine. More than 300,000 people have fled the city in recent weeks, since Israel ordered the population to move to the south, but it is estimated that 700,000 remain, according to UN agencies and help groups.

The war began on October 7, 2023, when militants led by Hamas broke into Israel and killed 1,200 people, most of them civilians and took another 251 hostages. Israel says that its operation in Gaza aims to press Hamas to surrender and return to the remaining 48 hostages, about 20 of which Israel believes that they are still alive. The majority of the rest were released in cessation of students or other agreements.

Activists have launched several flotillas aimed at breaking the block over the years, and almost all intercepted by Israeli forces. The crew of another ship said they were attacked by drones in May in international waters against Malta. A terrestrial convoy traveling in North Africa also tried to reach the border of Egypt with the Gaza Strip, but was blocked by security forces aligned with Egypt in eastern Libya.

In 2010, the Israeli commands assaulted the Mavi Marmara, a boat that participates in a help flotilla that tries to violate the maritime block of Gaza, killing 10 Turkish activists in confrontations on board.

• Palestine
• Israel
• Loop
• Gaza pull
• Benjamin Neta Nyahu
• Greta Thunberg