ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Activists participating in a flotilla in search of to interrupt the Israeli blockade of Gaza mentioned Wednesday that a few of their boats have been attacked by drones in a single day whereas crusing south of Greece.
The International Sumud Flotilla mentioned it was attacked in the course of the night time by “unidentified drones and communications jamming.” It mentioned that “at the least 13 explosions” have been heard on and round a number of flotilla boats, whereas drones or plane dropped “unidentified objects” on at the least 10 boats.
No casualties have been reported however there was injury to the vessels and “widespread obstruction in communications,” it added.
Activists posted a short video on the flotilla’s social media account displaying what seemed to be an explosion on or close to one of many vessels. Greece’s coast guard didn’t report any misery calls.
There was no rapid response to questions concerning the assault from the Israeli navy.
Crusing to Gaza
The flotilla, comprised of dozens of boats from a number of international locations, is carrying a symbolic quantity of humanitarian assist, together with meals and drugs, for Palestinians in Gaza.
The Israeli International Ministry has accused organizers of being linked to Hamas, and says it has proposed that the activists unload their assist within the Israeli port of Ashkelon for it to be transported into Gaza.
“Israel won’t permit vessels to enter an lively fight zone and won’t permit the breach of a lawful naval blockade,” the ministry mentioned on Monday. “Israel urges the members to not break the regulation and to simply accept Israel’s proposal for a peaceable switch of any assist they could have.”
Italian residents, together with members of parliament and members of the European parliament, are taking part within the flotilla, and Italy’s International Ministry mentioned Wednesday it had “notified the Israeli authorities that any operation entrusted to Israel’s armed forces be performed in compliance with worldwide regulation and the precept of absolute warning.”
International Minister Antonio Tajani “has requested the Italian Embassy in Tel Aviv to collect info and reiterate its earlier request to the Israeli authorities to ensure absolutely the safety of the personnel on board,” it added.
Assaults on the flotilla
The flotilla has reported a number of assaults because it set sail from Spain on Sept. 1, together with two whereas a few of its boats have been in Tunisian waters.
The convoy is claimed to be the biggest try and date to interrupt the Israeli maritime blockade of the Gaza Strip, which has now lasted 18 years, lengthy predating the present conflict in Gaza.
The virtually two-year conflict has killed greater than 65,000 Palestinians, in line with the Gaza Well being Ministry. The ministry doesn’t say what number of have been civilians or combatants, however says greater than half have been girls and youngsters.
The world’s main authority on starvation crises mentioned final month that Israel’s blockade and ongoing offensive had already pushed Gaza Metropolis into famine. Greater than 300,000 individuals have fled the town in current weeks as Israel has ordered the inhabitants to maneuver south, however an estimated 700,000 stay, in line with U.N. businesses and assist teams.
The conflict started on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants carried out an assault inside Israel that killed 1,200 individuals, most of them civilians, noticed about 250 individuals taken hostage. Israel says its operation in Gaza is geared toward pressuring Hamas to give up and return the remaining 48 hostages. Israel believes round 20 of the captives are nonetheless alive.
It’s not the primary time that activists attempting to interrupt the Israeli blockade of Gaza have come beneath assault.
One other vessel mentioned it was attacked by drones in Could in worldwide waters off Malta. An overland convoy touring throughout North Africa additionally tried to achieve the border however was blocked by safety forces aligned with Egypt in japanese Libya.
In 2010, Israeli commandos raided the Mavi Marmara, a ship taking part in an assist flotilla making an attempt to breach the blockade of Gaza, killing 10 Turkish activists on board.
