Organizers of a Gaza-bound flotilla carrying aid and pro-Palestinian activists reported on Wednesday that several of their boats were targeted by multiple drones.
The Global Sumud Flotilla stated that over a dozen explosions were heard near the flotilla as it sailed off the coast of Greece late Tuesday, causing damage from “unidentified objects” dropped onto the decks.
“Multiple drones, unidentified objects were dropped, communications were jammed, and explosions were heard from several boats,” it reported.
Polish lawmaker Franek Sterczewski, aboard one of the vessels, tweeted that there were 13 attacks on a total of 10 vessels, including his own.
“Three of the ships were damaged,” he added.
German human rights activist and flotilla participant Yasemin Acar shared in an Instagram video that five vessels had been attacked.
“We are carrying only humanitarian aid,” she stated. “We have no weapons. We pose no threat to anyone. It is Israel that is killing thousands and starving an entire population.”
In an earlier video, Acar noted that activists had “spotted 15 to 16 drones” and their radios were jammed with loud music playing.
A video on the flotilla’s official Instagram showed an explosion recorded from the vessel Spectre at 0143 GMT.
The Greek coastguard informed AFP that a European Union borders agency (Frontex) patrol boat had approached one vessel, finding no evidence of damage.
‘No damage’
“The coastguard operations room was notified after 2:30 am (2330 GMT). A Frontex patrol vessel arrived at the scene. The sailboat was intact. There was no damage. Those on board reported the incident, but it was not confirmed,” a coastguard spokeswoman stated.
The spokeswoman could not confirm whether the alleged incident happened in international waters.
Contacted at its Warsaw headquarters, Frontex could not immediately confirm or deny the incident.
In another video on the same page, Brazilian activist Thiago Avila reported that four boats were “targeted with drones dropping devices” just before another explosion was heard in the background.
The Global Sumud Flotilla departed from Barcelona earlier this month aiming to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza and deliver aid to the region.
It currently includes 51 vessels, most near the Greek island of Crete.
Vessels waiting to join the flotilla had already been targeted in two suspected drone attacks in Tunisia. Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg was among those who boarded in the North African nation.
Israel, which blocked two prior attempts by activists to reach Gaza by sea in June and July, announced on Monday it would not allow the flotilla to reach the besieged Palestinian territory.
Israel faces intense international pressure to cease its war in Gaza, where it has launched a ground offensive against famine-stricken Gaza City.
