Italy deployed its navy frigate Fasan on Wednesday after drones reportedly targeted a Gaza-bound aid flotilla off Greece, prompting fears for over 500 unarmed civilians aboard. Defence Minister Guido Crosetto confirmed authorising the vessel’s immediate intervention under Operation Safe Sea, saying the frigate is en route to secure the area and conduct potential rescue operations. Organisers of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) said more than a dozen explosions occurred Tuesday night, damaging vessels and disrupting communications. The flotilla, which sailed from Barcelona, aims to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid.
Furthermore, the GSF accused Israel of endangering activists from 45 countries, including Swedish environmentalist Greta Thunberg, by allegedly using drones to drop explosives. Italian activist Stefano Bertoldi reported a knocked-off jib and warned the boat’s mast could fall. He issued multiple mayday calls as explosions rang out, according to his climate group Last Generation. The flotilla’s organisers emphasised that unidentified drones have been shadowing their vessels for days, raising concerns about the safety of those onboard and escalating tensions in the region.
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In response, Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein reiterated that Israel would not allow the flotilla to breach its naval blockade or enter an active combat zone. He urged the group to transfer aid through Ashkelon Marina for safe delivery to Gaza, stressing that any attempts to break the blockade would be blocked. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said he had demanded Israel guarantee the safety of Italian citizens, members of parliament, and European lawmakers traveling with the flotilla. Tajani further reminded Israel to act within international law and exercise absolute caution.
Meanwhile, Italy’s anti-establishment Five Star Movement called on the European Union to deploy Frontex vessels to provide maritime escort and ensure the safety of EU-flagged boats. The Greek coastguard confirmed that an EU Frontex patrol inspected one flotilla vessel but reported no visible damage. Frontex’s headquarters in Warsaw, however, could not immediately verify or deny details of the incident. The Global Sumud Flotilla, currently comprising 51 vessels near Crete, said vessels waiting to join in Tunisia had already been targeted in two earlier suspected drone attacks.
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The flotilla describes itself as an independent, pro-Palestinian movement unaffiliated with governments or political parties, with its name “Sumud” meaning “resilience” in Arabic. Israel continues its extensive air and ground operations in Gaza, which have killed tens of thousands of Palestinians during nearly two years of war. Hamas’s initial attack triggered widespread devastation, sparking ongoing clashes. The flotilla’s organisers insist their mission is purely humanitarian and have called for international protection to ensure their aid reaches Gaza without further violence or obstruction.