Gaza Flotilla Under Attack: Activists Detail Drone Assaults as Italy and Spain Deploy Naval Support

Flotilla's Journey and Mission

• 🚢 The Gaza-bound flotilla, comprising approximately 50 vessels of various types, is on a mission to open a humanitarian corridor for aid directly to Palestinians in Gaza.
• ⏳ The convoy moves at the speed of its slowest boat, with the final leg to Gaza expected to take around four and a half days, assuming no delays or incidents.

Drone Attacks and Allegations

• 💥 Activists reported two separate nights of drone attacks while anchored off Tunis and later while sailing in international waters.
• 💣 During the first attack in Tunis, two key ships, the 'Family' and 'Alma', were targeted with incendiary devices that caused high-temperature fires, fortunately extinguished by the crew.
• 🎯 In a subsequent attack lasting about three hours, 12 boats were hit by drones that descended with lights off, launching projectiles, seemingly aiming to sabotage sailboats by damaging their masts and sails.
• 💨 On the 'Spectre' vessel, three drones dropped devices that exploded on the roof, releasing a noxious, sulfurous gas that filled parts of the boat, though no one was harmed.
• 📡 The attackers also jammed VHS radio communications and played ABBA music, attempting to prevent coordination among the flotilla.

International Response and Support

• 🇪🇸 Spain has deployed a naval vessel, stating the flotilla poses no threat to Israel.
• 🇮🇹 Italy has also deployed a naval ship to assist the flotilla, marking an unprecedented move by European governments.
• ❓ The identity and motives behind the drone attacks remain unknown to the activists, who speculate they may have been intended to sabotage the boats.

Current Status and Future Plans

• ✅ Despite the attacks and damage, all boats have undergone repairs and are continuing with the flotilla.
• ⚓ The flotilla regrouped along the coast of Greece, refueled, restocked, and prepared to set sail again.
• 💬 An activist, Sarah Clancy, shared her firsthand account of the attacks and the flotilla's determination to reach Gaza.