Gaza: activists on auxiliary fleet report drone attacks

After alleged attacks in the Mediterranean, Italy sends a frigate to the region for a private fleet of ships with auxiliary deliveries for the population in the Gaza Strip. Defense Minister Guido Crosetto in Rome announced that the “Fasan” ship “Fasan” of the Italian Navy should help with any rescue campaigns. The approximately 50 boats of the fleet called Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) are currently located near the Greek island of Crete.

Activists from the international Gaza aid fleet had previously complained about alleged attacks on their boats and held Israel for this. The organization Codepink said that they were attacked with “glare grenades and alleged chemicals” while driving towards Gaza Strip. She spoke of at least eleven attacks. An activist said they counted “15 or 16 drones” at night.

The approximately 50 boats are currently located near the Greek island of Crete. They want to break through the Israeli sea blockade of the Gaza Strip and bring relief supplies to the coastal area. The semi -officially Greek news agency Ana reported, citing the coast guard, that a patrol boat from the European Border Protection Agency (Frontex) had checked the incident and found no damage. The investigation continued.

Israel will “take all the necessary steps to prevent an entrance (the fleet) into the combat area and to stop any violation of a legitimate sea blockade,” said a spokesman for the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is disappointing that the “Hamas flotilla” rejects the offer to bring relief supplies to Gaza via Israeli territory.

The Israeli embassy in Greece said that the “violent approach” of the activists serves the goals of the Islamist Hamas.

According to a spokeswoman for the auxiliary fleet, at least two boats were damaged. There were no injuries. She spoke of “completely illegal” attacks in international waters.

On board there are also two members of Italy’s left opposition. Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani warned Israel on the side, any military missions had to be done in accordance with international law and the greatest possible caution.

The fleet published as Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) published videos of several explosions at night. These are glare grenades that explode with loud bang and light light and can therefore briefly make them disoriented. GSF said that they will not be intimidated by these “psychological missions”.

In some cases, the communication of the activists is said to have been disturbed by radio. The “enemy” page blocked the radio channel and played songs from the Swedish band Abba, one of the activists said. He suspected that the reason for this was the “weird obsession” with the Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, who is also on board one of the ships. Among the around 300 activists is also the German actress and comedian Enissa Amani on board.

The UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese accused Israel of walking a genocide on land and acting at sea.

Two weeks ago, the activists had already reported drone attacks on their ships for over two days while making a stop near Tunisia. There were no injuries. Tunisia’s Ministry of the Interior rejected the presentation of the attacks as wrong.

The boats started from Barcelona with hundreds of activists on board about three weeks ago. According to the organizers, the campaign is the largest of its kind to date. Israel has previously stopped attempts.

Notice of the editorial team: After its first publication, this article was supplemented by information about the reaction of Italy.