The humanitarian aid flotilla bound for Gaza has become a flashpoint in the Mediterranean Sea, after a series of alleged drone attacks. Among the activists on board is Greta Thunberg, who said the aim is to deliver not just aid, but solidarity.

The Global Sumud Flotilla, a civilian convoy of around 50 boats carrying hundreds of activists, lawyers, parliamentarians and aid workers, has set sail from Greek waters bound for Gaza despite fresh warnings from Israel that it will not be allowed to dock.

The flotilla, whichset sail from Barcelonaearlier this month, is making its way across the Mediterranean Sea with the aim of breaking Israels 18-year naval blockade on Gaza and delivering urgently needed humanitarian supplies.

Among those on board is Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, who said this week from the deck of a boat off Crete: We are not just delivering humanitarian aid. We are trying to deliver hope and solidarity, to send a strong message that the world stands with Palestine.

Flotilla bound for Gaza finally sets sail amid escalating Israeli strikes

Drone attacks

According to witness accounts gathered by RFI, the flotilla has already been the target of drone attacks several times firstoff the coast of Tunisia, and most recently by a wave of drones on the night of 23 September as the boats crossed international waters near Crete.

Participants in the flotilla described hearing explosions and seeing smoke rising from neighbouring vessels, with some donning life jacket.

A dozen boats were damaged, with sails shredded and masts broken.

Louay Cherni, a Tunisian content creator, reported a noise of explosion on the nearby Spectre at 1:43am.

Though no one was injured, the flotilla called urgently for international protection, underscoring its peaceful purpose of bringing aid into Gaza.

Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto condemned the attacks, which he said were carried out by currently unidentified actors, and confirmed that a frigate has beendeployed towards the flotillafor potential rescue operations.

Spain has also dispatched a naval ship in support of its citizens on board.

Gaza aid flotilla 'should not have to exist' says Thunberg

NGOs protest

These incidents have prompted sharp criticism from humanitarian and rights groups in France and the Netherlands.

In ajoint statementreleased on Thursday, Amnesty International France, Reporters Without Borders, Greenpeace France, Mdecins du Monde and Mdecins Sans Frontires Netherlands have denounced what they called illegal drone attacks against a perfectly lawful civilian initiative".

They urged European governments to speak out, saying: Attacking these ships is unacceptable. Nothing can justify blocking humanitarian aid to Gaza when the population is suffering famine and catastrophic living conditions.

The groups argued thatinternational humanitarian lawexplicitly protects aid operations and journalists during armed conflicts, and pressed governments to demand that Israel allow the flotilla safe passage.

UN demands probe after drone 'attack' on Gaza aid flotilla

Israels stance

Israel insists the flotilla will not be allowed through its blockade, and argues that the initiative only aids Hamas.

Its foreign ministry has suggested that organisers could offload their supplies in Cyprus for transfer to Gaza via the Catholic ChurchsLatin Patriarchate of Jerusaleman offer the flotilla has rejected.

The Israeli authorities have also invited flotilla members to hand over their aid directly to Israel for delivery.

Organisers, however, remain adamant that the mission is as much about political symbolism as material relief.

Diplomatic tensions

The presence in the flotilla of high-profile figures and parliamentarians from 45 countries has transformed what might otherwise have been a fringe protest into a diplomatic concern.

Italy has warned its participating citizens that they are responsible for any risks they take, while Greece has promised to secure safe passage through its territorial waters but not beyond.

The United Nations Human Rights Office hascondemned the drone strikesand called for an independent investigation, stressing that freedom of navigation under international law must be respected.

A spokesperson for the European Commission said: No attack, no drone strike, no seizure or use of force against the flotilla is acceptable.

Despite the attacks, organisers say the flotilla will continue towards Gaza.

(with Reuters)

Originally published on RFI