Organisers of the Global Sumud Flotilla, carrying humanitarian aid and pro-Palestinian activists to Gaza, reported late Tuesday that several of their boats came under drone attacks off the coast of Greece.
In a statement, the group said, “Multiple drones, unidentified objects dropped, communications jammed and explosions heard from a number of boats,” though no casualties were immediately confirmed. The flotilla vowed it would not be intimidated.
German human rights activist Yasemin Acar, aboard one of the vessels, said in an Instagram video that five ships had been targeted. “We are carrying only humanitarian aid. We have no weapons. We pose no threat to anyone. It is Israel who is killing thousands of people and starving a whole population,” she stated.
Other activists shared videos showing drones, loud music interfering with communications, and explosions. Brazilian activist Thiago Avila reported that four boats were hit by drones that dropped devices, with an explosion captured in the background.
The flotilla, which set sail from Barcelona earlier this month, consists of 51 vessels, most currently positioned off Crete. It aims to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza and deliver aid to the besieged territory. The mission has already faced two suspected drone strikes while anchored in Tunisia.
Among the participants is climate activist Greta Thunberg.
Israel has announced it will not allow the flotilla to reach Gaza, having blocked two previous sea missions in June and July.
The incident comes amid intensifying international criticism of Israel’s war in Gaza, where famine has been officially declared in parts of the territory and UN investigators recently accused Israel of committing “genocide.”
