Italy's Defence Minister has condemned an overnight drone attack by unidentified perpetrators on a flotilla trying to breach Israel's naval blockade of Gaza to deliver aid.
Guido Crosetto has ordered an Italian Navy frigate to head toward the 52 boats in the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), which are mostly off the coast of Crete, to assist any Italian citizens on board.
The GSF reported that several boats experienced explosions, unidentified objects being dropped, and communications jamming during the attack, calling it a dangerous escalation. Israeli authorities have not commented, but they have previously indicated that they will not allow the flotilla to reach its destination.
The incident occurred approximately 50km (27 nautical miles) south of Crete. Unverified CCTV footage released by the GSF shows a man on deck jumping for cover after what appeared to be an explosion nearby.
Passengers requested assistance from the Greek coastguard, and a source confirmed that a Portuguese vessel from the EU's Frontex agency had been dispatched but found no damage to the boats.
Greta Thunberg, a prominent climate activist and participant in the flotilla, has labeled the drone attack a scare tactic. The Israeli foreign ministry characterized the flotilla as organized by Hamas and urged boats to deliver their aid at the Ashkelon port for official transfer to Gaza.
The GSF aims to "break the illegal siege on Gaza by sea" and address the humanitarian crisis exacerbated by the continuing conflict. With recent UN assessments confirming famine conditions in Gaza, the pressure for international intervention is mounting. The UN is urging Israel to facilitate an unimpeded humanitarian response as the situation escalates.
Since the violence escalated in October, thousands have been reported dead as a consequence of the ongoing conflict. At least 440 Palestinians have died from malnutrition since the conflict's height, according to Gaza's health ministry.
As tensions rise over the flotilla's efforts to provide aid, further actions and reactions from Israel, Italy, and international bodies are anticipated.
