Italy and Spain send military ships to assist Gaza aid flotilla.
Military ships were dispatched after an international aid flotilla was attacked by drones while attempting to deliver aid to Gaza.
Reuters - Italy and Spain have sent military ships to assist an international aid flotilla that was attacked by drones while attempting to deliver aid to Gaza, which could increase tensions with Israel, which strongly opposes the initiative.
The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) is using approximately 50 civilian boats in an attempt to break Israel's naval blockade of Gaza. Many lawyers, parliamentarians, and activists, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, are on board.
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said on Thursday that his country had sent one ship and another was on its way, primarily to offer assistance to the Italians aboard the flotilla. He also urged activists to abandon plans to break the blockade.
"This is not an act of war, it is not a provocation: it is an act of humanity, which is a duty of a State towards its citizens," he told the upper house of Parliament regarding the decision to send Navy ships.
Italy has proposed an agreement whereby aid supplies could be left in Cyprus and delivered to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem of the Catholic Church, which would then distribute them in Gaza. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said that Israel supports the idea.
However, the Italian delegation rejected this suggestion on behalf of the flotilla on Thursday.
"Our mission remains true to its original objective of breaking the illegal siege (by Israel) and delivering humanitarian aid to the besieged population of Gaza," the Italian group said in a statement.
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said it would not comment on reports that it was in discussions about the flotilla.
Italy sent a first frigate on Wednesday, hours after the flotilla said it had been targeted by drones that dropped stun grenades and itching powder on the vessels as they sailed in international waters 56 km off the Greek island of Gavdos.
No one was injured, but some damage was caused to the boats.
Spain also said it was sending a warship on Thursday to assist the flotilla, joining Italy in an unprecedented move by European governments.
Previous attempts by activists to break the naval blockade of Gaza were forcibly neutralized by the Israeli military.
