Stop the War has called on the British government to follow Italy’s lead and send Navy vessels to protect the Sumud flotilla, after six ships were attacked by Israel early today (24 September) in international waters – 600 nautical miles away from Gaza, according to the organisers.
Drones and stun projectiles struck multiple vessels in what organisers described as a deliberate attempt to halt the aid operation.
Among the affected vessels was the Ohwayla, which was hit by a small stun bomb but sustained no damage. The Yulara was sprayed with an unidentified chemical from a device that plunged into the sea before causing harm. A similar stun device struck the Otaria mid-mast, while the Maria Cristina was hit above deck.
No injuries were reported, though the International Committee for Breaking the Siege of Gaza said it was still assessing the full impact of the strikes.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry posted to X threatening that ‘Israel will take the necessary measures to prevent its entry into the combat zone and to stop any violation of a lawful naval blockade’.
The Italian government has dispatched a naval vessel to accompany the flotilla that has a number of Italian nationals on board. The government is responding to the widespread pro-Palestinain sentiment in Italy. Only this week a general strike paralysed the country in solidarity with Palestine. Genoa dockers who have been at the heart of the solidarity movement have representatives on the flotilla.
This is not the first time the flotilla has been attacked. Flotilla ships were attacked by Israeli drones even while they were still in port in Tunis.
A statement issued by the flotilla said: “These attacks … will not stop us from delivering aid and breaking the siege.” It called on UN member states to intervene immediately, ensure protection, and dispatch naval escorts. The group also urged governments to raise the matter at the UN General Assembly and to push for a resolution condemning the violations.
Stop the War Coalition convenor Lindsey German said: “Israel’s acts of high seas piracy in attacking the Sumud Gaza aid flotilla by using drones to drop explosives is a deeply vicious and vindictive act. It is clear that this and Israel’s threats of further action to prevent the flotilla reaching its destination safely are aimed at testing global reaction. The news that Italy is to send a navy ship to assist the flotilla is therefore welcome and should be followed by all seagoing nations. We await a similar undertaking by the British government.”