Italy has already sent a naval vessel to protect an aid flotilla that was attacked by drones on the way to Gaza. The decision comes on the heels of several attacks on the Freedom Flotilla, which consists of primarily international citizens, including Italians, Swedes and Spaniards. On Tuesday night, the stakes became life-threateningly high. Four of the flotilla’s damaged vessels received fire, creating horrifying conditions for more than 500 all–peaceful participants on–board.
In response to the attacks, Italy’s foreign ministry notified Israeli authorities that any operations conducted by Israel’s armed forces must strictly adhere to international law and the principle of absolute caution. The purpose of this notification is to protect the safety of foreign nationals who are currently onboard the vessels. Swedish nationals About 15 Swedish nationals are among those affected, according to Sweden’s foreign ministry.
The fate of the Freedom Flotilla Francesca Albanese, a United Nations special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, has stated that the flotilla faced 14 attacks. So these events happened between Tunis and Crete. All of the assaults have caused significant damage to four of the vessels. Albanese underscored how one of the vessels remains with an unexploded device inside.
“Four vessels are now damaged and require urgent repair. As of last night, an unexploded device remains on one of the boats,” – Francesca Albanese
The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) was outraged to learn of the attack on the international aid convoy. They got pummeled by several rounds of directed detonations around the vessels. Unknown objects have been deployed in the region, resulting in massive cell service interruption.
“In the final days before reaching Gaza, the GSF is experiencing an alarmingly dangerous escalation, with multiple boats reporting targeted explosions and unidentified objects being dropped on and near the boats, causing significant damage and widespread obstruction in communication,” – Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF)
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the drone strike on Tuesday night, labeling it “gratuitous, dangerous and irresponsible.” The Italian government is now looking to make goddamn sure that nothing like this ever happens again—especially no more offensive actions against the flotilla’s unmarked vessels.
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto has since confirmed that a naval vessel is en route to join the search. It should be calibrated for future potential life-saving rescue operations. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has publicly and privately been all over Israeli leadership. His goal was getting the humanitarian supplies shipped by the flotilla into Gaza itself.
According to Israel’s foreign ministry, it intends to exercise “any measures” needed to keep the flotilla from fulfilling its mission. This announcement has given new urgency to Italy’s diplomatic efforts and military response.
With international attention brewing over this tragedy, so too is the demand for a unified response between European countries. Activist Juan Bordera highlighted the need to escalate their action at the European Commission level to address the gravity of the situation in full.
“I think this has to escalate further and further and reach … European Commission levels, because this needs to be tackled, coordinated with all the countries, at least in Europe,” – Juan Bordera
