Rome — Italy and Spain have dispatched warships to support an international aid flotilla that came under drone attacks while attempting to break Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza. The flotilla, known as the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), comprises around 50 civilian vessels carrying activists, lawyers, parliamentarians, and other humanitarian personnel — among them the Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg.
The Italian Defence Ministry confirmed that a frigate sent on Wednesday — hours after the flotilla was targeted — will be relieved by another vessel as part of continuing efforts to ensure protection. Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto defended the action before the Senate, stating that “it is not an act of war, it is not a provocation; it is an act of humanity, which is a duty of a state towards its citizens.”
Italy’s foreign ministry said that several other European nations, including Belgium and France, had requested assistance to safeguard their citizens aboard the flotilla. In response, Italy also proposed a compromise plan — one under which the aid could be offloaded in Cyprus and handed over to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem for distribution in Gaza. But the flotilla’s organizers rejected this proposal, insisting they remain committed to their original goal of breaking the blockade and delivering humanitarian relief directly.
According to the flotilla’s statement, the mission remains true to its founding purpose, which they characterize as ending Israel’s “illegal siege” of Gaza and delivering much-needed assistance to the besieged population.
Observers see the deployment as a delicate diplomatic maneuver: Italy insists that its naval deployment should not be construed as a military provocation. Nevertheless, it risks heightening tensions in an already volatile region. The flotilla’s attempt to challenge the naval blockade underscores growing international concern over humanitarian access to Gaza amid Israel’s ongoing security and military posture.
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