Spain and Italy have dispatched naval vessels to protect the Global Sumud Flotilla, a civilian convoy delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza, after multiple drone attacks targeted the fleet in international waters. The move marks a rare joint European military intervention to defend a humanitarian mission under threat.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced the deployment during his address at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, confirming that a naval support ship will depart from Cartagena to escort the flotilla and assist in potential rescue operations.
The Spanish government emphasized that the decision was made in response to verified threats against civilian vessels and in coordination with international humanitarian law.
|Al-Jazeera: Italy, Spain send navy ships to protect Gaza flotilla after drone attacks|
Earlier the same day, Italy’s Defense Minister Guido Crosetto authorized the deployment of the multi-mission frigate Fasan, already operating near Crete under Operation Sea Safe.
In an official statement published by the Ministry of Defense, Crosetto condemned the drone attacks as “incendiary assaults by unidentified actors” and confirmed the frigate’s mission to protect Italian citizens aboard the convoy.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani added that Rome had formally requested Israel to guarantee the safety of Italian nationals, including members of parliament and EU lawmakers participating in the mission.
He stressed that any Israeli military action must comply with international law and be conducted with “absolute caution.”
The Global Sumud Flotilla consists of more than 50 civilian vessels carrying food, medicine, and relief supplies, with participants from 44 countries.
Among them are climate activist Greta Thunberg, former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau, and elected officials from Argentina, Poland, and Spain. The convoy aims to break Israel’s naval blockade and deliver aid directly to Gaza’s besieged population.
Organizers reported at least 13 explosions and widespread radio jamming during overnight drone attacks near the Greek island of Gavdos.
Drones dropped incendiary devices and unidentified objects on multiple boats, causing damage and panic among passengers.
“We will not be intimidated,” the flotilla declared in a statement. “These tactics will not deter us from our mission to deliver aid to Gaza and break the illegal siege.”
Israel has labeled the convoy a “Hamas flotilla” and threatened to take “necessary measures” to prevent its arrival. Officials demanded that all aid be rerouted to Ashkelon for distribution under Israeli control, despite UN reports that Israel is deliberately obstructing food deliveries and deepening famine in Gaza.
UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese called on Mediterranean nations to intervene: “Send navies now to protect the flotilla, escort it safely to Gaza, and break the siege. If not to stop a genocide, when people are being literally slaughtered, when?”
Despite Israeli allegations, flotilla organizers have repeatedly affirmed the strictly humanitarian nature of the mission.
In a joint statement, the Global Sumud Flotilla emphasized: “We are unarmed. We carry no weapons, no political cargo—only food, medicine, and solidarity. Our mission is peaceful, legal, and rooted in international humanitarian law.”
They added: “This is not a protest. It is a lifeline. We are sailing to uphold the most basic human rights—access to food, water, and medical care. If governments fail to act, civil society must.”
The Swedish-based initiative Ship to Gaza, which is part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, echoed this message on its official website, stating:
“We sail again for the children of Gaza. Stop the genocide. Gaza, you are not alone.”
The group affirms that its vessels are carrying only humanitarian cargo and that the mission is nonviolent, legal, and grounded in international solidarity.
The flotilla’s mission is one of the largest coordinated maritime efforts in recent years to challenge Israel’s blockade.
Organizers say their goal is simple: deliver life-saving aid directly to Gaza’s starving population and demand an end to the siege, which they describe as part of an ongoing genocide.
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