Bombs, chemical agents, communications jamming used in flotilla attacks
Boats in the Global Sumud Flotilla heading to Gaza have come under massive attack by at least 15 drones.
The drones started carrying out reconnaissance work, collecting information above the fleet five hours before the attack. Then we began receiving news about attacks happening on several boats using explosive materials.
The attacks seem to have consisted of sound bombs that affected the sails of some of the boats. We’ve also received information about chemical substances being dropped by drones over some boats. Until now, we don’t have any reports of injuries.
Drones were hovering over one of the main boats in the flotilla that was previously targeted in Tunisia – the Alma. This vessel is one of the main ships to support other boats in the fleet and is carrying several public figures, including Mandla Mandela, the grandson of Nelson Mandela, and activist Greta Thunberg. This time, the Alma was not targeted directly by bombs or substances, but was victim to communications jamming.
The flotilla organisers have accused Israel of being behind this attack, especially as its foreign minister threatened to stop this fleet from reaching Gaza, where they are trying to break the siege and create a corridor to deliver aid to people in Gaza. At the same time, the organisers confirmed that this fleet is nonviolent and solely humanitarian.
Italy denounces attack on Global Sumud Flotilla
Italy’s Defence Minister Guido Crosetto has condemned an overnight drone attack on the flotilla headed to Gaza to deliver aid.
In a statement on Wednesday, Crosetto said he redirected an Italian navy ship towards the flotilla to offer it possible assistance. His comments came after the GSF reported explosions and communications interference.
Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said there are “Italian citizens along with members of parliament and MEPs” among the pro-Palestinian activists in the flotilla, which reported hearing more than a dozen blasts as it sailed off Greece late on Tuesday.
It also reported damage caused by “unidentified objects” dropped on deck.
“To ensure their safety, the foreign ministry had already notified Israeli authorities that any operation entrusted to Israeli forces must be conducted in compliance with international law and the principle of absolute caution,” it said in a statement.
“Minister Tajani has asked the Italian Embassy in Tel Aviv to gather information and to reiterate its previous request to the Israeli government to guarantee the absolute protection of the personnel on board.”
