Gaza-bound aid flotilla reports drone attacks and explosions off Greek coast

Organisers of the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla reported late Tuesday that several of their vessels were targeted by drones and experienced explosions while sailing 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." No information was provided on whether there were any casualties.

The flotilla, which is carrying humanitarian aid and pro-Palestinian activists, accused the attackers of psychological warfare but vowed to continue their mission. “We are witnessing these psychological operations firsthand, right now, but we will not be intimidated,” the group said.

German human rights activist Yasemin Acar, a participant in the flotilla, posted a video on Instagram claiming that five vessels had been attacked. “We are carrying only humanitarian aid,” she said. “We have no weapons. We pose no threat to anyone. It is Israel who is killing thousands of people (and) starving a whole population.”

In an earlier video, Acar described seeing 15 to 16 drones, and said their radios had been jammed, with loud music playing over the interference.

The flotilla's official Instagram account posted a video showing what it said was an explosion near the Spectre boat at 01:43 GMT+3. Another video featured Brazilian activist Thiago Avila, who said four boats had been "targeted with drones throwing devices," followed by an audible explosion.

The Global Sumud Flotilla, which departed from Barcelona earlier this month, is attempting to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza and deliver aid to the territory. The fleet currently includes 51 vessels, most of which are near the Greek island of Crete.

Organisers said the group had already been targeted in two suspected drone attacks while docked in Tunisia prior to resuming their voyage.

Among the high-profile participants is Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg.

The Israeli government announced Monday that it would not allow the flotilla to reach Gaza, continuing a policy that has seen it block similar attempts in June and July.

Israel has faced mounting international criticism over its ongoing war in Gaza, which has created a deep humanitarian crisis. A UN-backed body declared famine in parts of Gaza last month, and on September 16, UN investigators accused Israel of committing genocide in the territory. The war began after Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.

SR