An international aid flotilla ship attempting to deliver supplies to Gaza was reportedly attacked overnight by drones in international waters off Greece on Wednesday, according to the aid group.The flotilla released CCTV footage showing explosions and a man jumping onto a yacht deck, reports news agency Reuters.The incident prompted Italy to send a navy ship to assist the vessels. The fleet is carrying hundreds of activists, including climate activist Greta Thunberg.The flotilla reported explosions of unidentified objects being dropped, drones overhead, and communications jamming. It accused Israel of a “dangerous escalation”. Israel has previously said it will not allow the flotilla to reach Gaza.Italy’s defence minister, Guido Crosetto, condemned attack by ‘unidentified perpetrators’ on the Global Sumud Flotilla, which is trying to breach Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza. He said he had ordered an Italian Navy frigate to head towards the 52 boats to assist Italian citizens on board.The GSF said the attacks included “explosive and incendiary devices, deliberate dispersal of chemical substances onto civilian vessels, disabling of emergency communication devices and calculated physical damage designed to render the ships unseaworthy and endanger volunteers aboard.”Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, taking part in the flotilla, called the incident a “scare tactic” and said: “We were aware of the risks of these kind of attacks so that’s not something that is going to stop us. We’re very, very determined to continue our mission.”Israel has said the flotilla is “organised by Hamas” and warned vessels not to enter an active combat zone. The Israeli foreign ministry added: “If the flotilla participants’ genuine wish is to deliver humanitarian aid rather than serve Hamas, Israel calls on the vessels to dock at the Ashkelon Marina and unload the aid there, from where it will be transferred promptly in a co-ordinated manner to the Gaza Strip.”The flotilla aims to “break the illegal siege on Gaza by sea, open a humanitarian corridor, and end the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people.” The UN has urged Israel to allow life-saving aid into Gaza, where hundreds of Palestinians have died from malnutrition since the start of the war in October 7, 2023.
