Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has condemned a drone attack on a flotilla attempting to deliver aid to Gaza, but also criticised the mission as “dangerous and irresponsible” and accused it of aiming to “create problems” for her government. Speaking in New York at the UN General Assembly, Meloni confirmed that Italy had dispatched a navy frigate, the Fasan, to assist the convoy of around 50 vessels, which includes Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and other pro-Palestinian campaigners.
The attack, which occurred late on Tuesday in international waters off Greece, is the third such incident this month. No injuries were reported, but the flotilla’s organiser, the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), said drones dropped objects, communications were jammed, and explosions were heard. Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto condemned the “unidentified perpetrators” and stated the navy ship was already en route for possible rescue operations.
The flotilla set sail from Barcelona in late August to “break the illegal siege of Gaza”. Israel has criticised the mission, accusing activists of complicity with Hamas, and stated it would not allow the ships to reach Gaza. Meloni added that her government had proposed handing over the aid to Cyprus and the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, and was awaiting a response from the activists.
