Photo credit: Al Jazeera
Activists in a flotilla seeking to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza said on Wednesday that some of their boats were attacked by drones south of Greece.
The AP reports that Spain and Italy have sent navy vessels for rescue.
The Global Sumud Flotilla said it was attacked at night by “unidentified drones and communication jamming.” It said, “at least 13 explosions” were heard on and around several flotilla boats, while drones or aircraft dropped “unidentified objects” on at least 10 boats.
While no casualties were reported, there was damage to the vessels and “widespread obstruction in communications,” it added. Activists posted a video showing what appeared to be an explosion on or near one of the vessels
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The Israeli military did not immediately respond to questions regarding the attack.
The flotilla of about 50 boats, according to organizers, is carrying a symbolic amount of humanitarian aid, including food and medicine, for Palestinians in Gaza.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry has accused organizers of being linked to Hamas, an accusation organizers reject. Israel has proposed that the activists unload their aid in the Israeli port of Ashkelon for it to be transported into Gaza, saying it will not accept any breach of its blockade.
Italy condemned the attack and activated a navy frigate to be on hand for possible rescue operations, according to the Defence Minister Guido Crosetto.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez also promised that his country would send a patrol vessel to assist the flotilla.
The European Union warned against the use of any force. Eva Hrncirova, a European Union spokesperson, said, “The freedom of navigation under international law must be upheld.”
Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, who is on board one of the boats, said, “The most important thing isn’t that we were hit by drones. Drones are something that Palestinians experience 24-7.”
