Italy deploys naval vessel to aid Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla activists under attack

CAIRO – 24 September 2025: Italy has dispatched a naval ship to support an international flotilla delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza, following a reported drone attack on boats carrying activists from various nationalities.

Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto on Wednesday expressed “strong condemnation” of the attack on the flotilla, stating that it was carried out using “drones by as-yet unidentified actors.”

He called for protecting demonstrations and protests that are conducted in compliance with international law, noting the dispatch of the Italian multi-role frigate Fasan to ensure assistance to the Italian citizens aboard the flotilla.

The flotilla, organised by the Global Sumud initiative and carries activists from at least 44 countries across six continents, said it came under attack late Tuesday while sailing in the Mediterranean.

Access the footage of one of the attacks on Global Sumud Flotilla boats, from here.

Activists aboard reported multiple drones dropping unidentified objects, the jamming of their communications, and several explosions, the AFP reported.

“Multiple drones, unidentified objects dropped, communications jammed and explosions heard from a number of boats,” the Global Sumud Flotilla reported in a statement.

The statement stressed that they “will not be intimated” by these “psychological operations.”

The flotilla’s statement did not confirm whether there were casualties.

The Global Sumud Flotilla departed Barcelona earlier this month with the stated aim of breaking Israel’s blockade of Gaza and delivering aid.

The fleet comprises dozens of vessels, most anchored near the Greek island of Crete.

The mission has faced multiple obstacles. It endured two suspected drone attacks in Tunisia before resuming its journey.

Israel, which blocked similar attempts in June and July, reiterated Monday that it will not allow the flotilla to reach Gaza.

 

Gaza is facing a dire humanitarian situation amidst unrelenting Israeli besiege over two years of war and heavy restrictions on aid deliveries.

Committing Genocide, Causing Famine

Not only have Israeli strikes killed more than 65,400 people since October 2023, according to Gaza’s health ministry, but the siege has also driven the enclave into famine.

According to the ministry, 440 people including 147 children have died due to severe malnutrition and starvation.

A UN-backed food security analysis in August has officially confirmed that famine is underway in Gaza City, marking the first such declaration since the onset of the Israeli war.

The analysis by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) found that over 500,000 people are currently trapped in famine conditions, and projected that by the end of September, famine could spread across the entire enclave.

It further warned that by June 2026, more than 100,000 children under the age of five will be at risk of death due to acute malnutrition.

Moreover, Israeli is facing allegations of committing a genocide as per a UN report concluded last week.

The United Nations’ commission of inquiry on the occupied Palestinian territories and Israel stated in its report that Israeli forces and authorities carried out four of the five acts defined under the Genocide Convention.

These include committing mass killings, causing serious harm, and deliberately creating unlivable conditions.