Activists involved in a flotilla trying to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza said some of their boats were attacked by drones overnight while sailing south of Greece on Sept. 24.
No casualties were reported, but there was damage and “widespread obstruction in communications,” the flotilla said.
The flotilla’s social media account posted a short clip showing what appeared to be an explosion on or near one of the boats; however, the Greek coast guard has not reported any distress calls.
Israel’s military has not commented on the flotilla’s allegations. The flotilla, comprising dozens of boats from several countries, is carrying a symbolic amount of humanitarian aid, including food and medicine, for Palestinians in Gaza.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry called the group the “Hamas flotilla” and said the activists could unload their aid in the port of Ashkelon, from where it would be taken into Gaza.
“Israel urges the participants not to break the law and to accept Israel’s proposal for a peaceful transfer of any aid they might have.”
Italian citizens, including members of both the Italian and European parliaments, are participating in the flotilla, and Italy’s Foreign Ministry said on Sept. 24 that it had “notified the Israeli authorities that any operation entrusted to Israel’s armed forces be conducted in compliance with international law and the principle of absolute caution.”
Swedish activist Greta Thunberg is also among the activists.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani “has asked the Italian Embassy in Tel Aviv to gather information and reiterate its previous request to the Israeli government to guarantee the absolute protection of the personnel on board,” it added.
“Boats hit with sound bombs, explosive flares, and sprayed with suspected chemicals. Radios jammed, calls for help blocked,” she wrote. “Immediate international attention and protection required! Hands off the Flotilla!”
