Spain and Italy dispatch naval ships to back Gaza aid flotilla
Spain and Italy announced deployment of vessels to support the Sumud Flotilla, a convoy of nearly 50 ships carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza
BRUSSELS/NEW YORK (MNTV) – Spain and Italy announced the deployment of naval vessels to support the Global Sumud Flotilla, a convoy of nearly 50 ships carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza in defiance of Israel’s blockade.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said Wednesday that a maritime action vessel will depart from Cartagena on Thursday, equipped with resources to assist the flotilla and carry out rescues if needed. “We are ready to provide help should circumstances demand it,” he told reporters in New York, according to El País.
Madrid coordinated the move with Rome after Italy earlier sent the frigate Fasan to protect Italian citizens on board and prepare for potential relief operations.
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto told lawmakers Thursday that a second ship, the Alpino, has now been dispatched to bolster support.
“We will continue to work to ensure no incident occurs with the flotilla,” Crosetto said, condemning recent attacks on the convoy. “Attacks on civilian vessels in open water are totally unacceptable. Any demonstration, if it respects the law, must be protected and cannot be suppressed with violence.”
Organizers reported that nine flotilla ships were struck by 12 blasts earlier this week after repeated drone harassment in international waters. While they did not assign blame, Israel has previously threatened to stop the mission but has so far remained silent on the incident.
Officials in both Spain and Italy stressed that their ships would not confront Israel directly but instead operate in international waters to provide humanitarian assistance if necessary. Ireland has also been in discussions with Madrid about coordinating broader European support.
The Global Sumud Flotilla set sail earlier this month carrying medical supplies and more than 500 activists from around the world. Organizers describe it as the largest such mission in nearly 20 years, aimed at breaking Israel’s 18-year blockade of Gaza, home to 2.4 million Palestinians.
The naval deployments come as UN investigators concluded that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, where more than 65,400 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023.
Have Your Say!
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@soundvision.com.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a Muslim Network TV’s representative. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
Tweet: @MuslimNetworkTV
We must take charge of our narrative. Research indicates that 92% of their Muslim coverage is negative. Help us change that.
