Israel Attacks Gaza Aid Flotilla in Greek Waters, Activists Say

The Global Sumud Flotilla, a pro-Palestinian mission aiming to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, reported a series of attacks early Wednesday morning while sailing through Greece’s search and rescue zone.

According to the organisers, Israeli forces targeted the fleet with drones, flash bombs, chemical substances, and communications jamming, in what activists described as psychological warfare. The flotilla has been reportedly struck more than 12 times around 2 a.m. (local time) as eight of its vessels crossed Greece’s search and rescue zone. Video released on social media shows a blast on one of the ships, apparently caused by a non-lethal explosive device.

“We see these psychological operations firsthand, but we will not be intimidated,” the Global Sumud Flotilla stated. “Our determination to deliver aid to Gaza and to break the unlawful blockade is stronger than ever. Every attempt to silence us only strengthens our resolve.”

According to Reuters activists reported bizarre attempts at intimidation just before the attack on the Flotilla. Onboard radios began blasting “very loud ABBA music,” according to Annalisa Corrado of Italy’s Democratic Party. “We thought it was a joke, but no, it was the first act of intimidation, to tell us they were close enough to get into our radio systems,” she said in a video message. The attack itself lasted around three hours, until 4 a.m. local time, Benedetta Scuderi of the Greens-European Free Alliance told Italian public radio RAI.

The Athens-based group March to Gaza Greece also issued an urgent statement, calling on Greek authorities to intervene: “The Hellenic Coast Guard has an obligation to safeguard every vessel and human life in the SAR area. We call on all people of conscience to pressure the government to act now, before tragedy strikes.”

According to the Greek coastguard  a Portuguese vessel from FRONTEX, the EU’s border agency, was dispatched to the area but it didn’t find any evidence of damage to the boats.

Italy’s Defence Minister Guido Crosetto condemned what he described as “an overnight drone attack by unidentified assailants on the Global Sumud Flotilla”. He announced that an Italian Navy frigate has been dispatched toward the Flotilla in order to provide assistance to Italian citizens on board.

A European Commission spokeswoman stated on Wednesday September 24, that “any use of force against the flotilla is not acceptable,” stressing that the EU “totally understands” the activists’ aim of drawing attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

From the Israeli side, officials doubled down on their claims  that the Global Sumud Flotilla is a political manoeuvre tied to Hamas. The Foreign Ministry has repeatedly labeled the initiative the “Hamas flotilla,” alleging according to Israeli newspaper Haaretz that “activists refuse to transfer their aid through the southern Israeli port of Ashkelon in a coordinated and peaceful manner”. In a statement, Israel said the refusal “highlights the insincerity of the flotilla members and their mission to serve Hamas, rather than the people in Gaza.”

Israel further warned that if the flotilla continues to reject its proposal, it will “take the necessary measures to prevent entry into the combat zone and to stop any violation of a lawful naval blockade,” while stressing that it seeks to ensure the safety of passengers.

The Global Sumud Flotilla, which set sail from Barcelona in late August with 51 vessels and hundreds of activists on board, aims to breach the Israeli naval blockade and deliver aid directly to Gaza. Among the participants are activists previously detained in June during the interception of another Gaza-bound flotilla, the Madleen, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.

The term Sumud means steadfastness in Arabic, and the organisers say their mission embodies exactly that. Despite reported damages, the flotilla has vowed to continue its course toward Gaza.