Gaza-bound flotilla says it was attacked by drones, as Italy and Spain ship assist

[ad_1] ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Activists in a flotilla looking for to interrupt Israel’s blockade of Gaza stated Wednesday that a few of their boats have been attacked by drones south of Greece , prompting Spain and Italy to ship navy vessels for potential rescues.

The World Sumud Flotilla stated it was attacked throughout the night time by “unidentified drones and communications jamming.” It stated that “at the least 13 explosions” have been heard on and round a number of flotilla boats, whereas drones or plane dropped “unidentified objects” on at the least 10 boats.

No casualties have been reported however there was injury to the vessels and “widespread obstruction in communications,” it added. Activists posted a short video displaying what seemed to be an explosion on or close to one of many vessels. Greece’s coast guard didn't report any misery calls.

The Israeli navy didn't instantly reply to questions concerning the assault.

The flotilla, which organizers say consists of about 50 vessels and members from dozens of nations, is carrying a symbolic quantity of humanitarian assist, together with meals and medication, for Palestinians in Gaza.

The Israeli International Ministry has accused organizers of being linked to Hamas, an accusation organizers reject. Israel has proposed that the activists unload their assist within the Israeli port of Ashkelon for it to be transported into Gaza, saying it is not going to settle for any breach of its blockade.

Italy and Spain sending navy patrol vessels Italy condemned the assault and activated a navy frigate to be readily available for potential rescue operations, Italian Protection Minister Guido Crosetto stated.

Crosetto stated the frigate Fasan was heading to the realm from its place north of Crete “for potential rescue operations.” Italy has knowledgeable Israel concerning the determination.

“In a democracy, demonstrations and types of protest should even be protected when they're carried out in accordance with worldwide legislation and with out resorting to violence,” Crosetto stated.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stated Spain additionally will ship a patrol vessel to help the flotilla, or perform a rescue.

“The Spanish Authorities calls for that worldwide legislation be complied with and that the best of our residents to navigate the Mediterranean safely be revered,” Sánchez stated Monday in New York.

Italy’s International Ministry in the meantime stated its pc techniques had been overwhelmed by a “mail bombing” marketing campaign during which hundreds of what it stated have been pretend emails flooded its servers after the assault on the flotilla.

Earlier Wednesday, the World Sumud Flotilla had despatched out an pressing attraction to its supporters asking them to e mail the ministry demanding it take a agency place to sentence the assault on the flotilla and put diplomatic stress on these accountable.

The emails “had the impact of hindering the work” of the ministry’s disaster unit, which has been the principle level of contact for Italian residents aboard the flotilla, the International Ministry stated in a press release. Italian officers have stated 58 Italians have been within the flotilla, together with some lawmakers.

Supporters watch as a ship that's a part of the World Sumud Flotilla departs to Gaza to ship assist amidst Israel’s blockade on the Palestinian territory, within the Tunisian port of Bizerte, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (AP Photograph/Anis Mili)

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The European Union additionally warned towards using any drive. “The liberty of navigation below worldwide legislation should be upheld,” stated Eva Hrncirova, a European Fee spokesperson.

UN Human Rights Workplace spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan referred to as for an investigation.

Defiant activists Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, who's on board one of many boats, referred to as the strikes a “scare tactic” that wasn’t going to cease the flotilla.

“Crucial factor isn’t that we have been hit by drones,” Thunberg stated on a livestream, including that the main target ought to stay on Gaza. “Drones are one thing that Palestinians expertise 24-7.”

Italian activist Simone Zambrin stated drones “have been flying over our heads for days now” and on Wednesday “dropped gadgets at our boats, damaging each the sails and the listening to of a few of our crew members.”

She stated Israel was making an attempt “to instill worry as a result of it's afraid of our arrival.”

Greg Stoker, an American activist on one of many boats, stated on-line that the vessel’s radio communications suffered interference, with the jammers taking part in an ABBA track over the radio channel the flotilla was utilizing.

Assaults on the flotilla

The Italian fleet of the World Sumud Flotilla departs from the port of Siracusa, Italy, Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. (Sebastiano Diamante/LaPresse through AP)

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The flotilla has reported a number of assaults because it set sail from Spain on Sept. 1, including two while some of its boats were in Tunisian waters .

Activists say it’s the most important try to date to interrupt the Israeli maritime blockade of the Gaza Strip, which has now lasted 18 years, lengthy predating the present warfare in Gaza. Israel says the blockade is required to maintain Hamas from importing arms, whereas critics take into account it collective punishment.

The just about two-year warfare has killed greater than 65,000 Palestinians, in response to the Gaza Well being Ministry. The ministry doesn't say what number of have been civilians or combatants, however says round half have been ladies and kids.

The world’s main authority on starvation crises stated final month that Israel’s blockade and ongoing offensive had already pushed Gaza City into famine . Greater than 300,000 individuals have fled the town in latest weeks as Israel has ordered the inhabitants to maneuver south, however an estimated 700,000 stay, in response to U.N. companies and assist teams.

The warfare started on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel and killed 1,200 individuals, most of them civilians, and took 251 others hostage. Israel says its operation in Gaza is aimed toward pressuring Hamas to give up and return the remaining 48 hostages, about 20 of whom Israel believes are nonetheless alive. A lot of the relaxation have been launched in ceasefires or different offers.

Activists have launched a number of flotillas aimed toward breaking the blockade over time, practically all of them intercepted by Israel. One other vessel said it was attacked by drones in May in worldwide waters off Malta. An overland convoy traveling across North Africa additionally tried to succeed in the border however was blocked by safety forces aligned with Egypt in jap Libya.

In 2010, Israeli commandos raided the Mavi Marmara, a ship collaborating in an assist flotilla making an attempt to breach the maritime blockade of Gaza, killing 10 Turkish activists in clashes on board.

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Related Press journalists Samuel Metz in Rabat, Morocco; Nicole Winfield and Patricia Thomas in Rome; Samuel McNeil in Brussels; Renata Brito in Barcelona, Spain and Suman Naishadham in Madrid contributed to this report.

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