Gaza aid flotilla struck by multiple drone attacks, activists report

The Global Sumud Flotilla, Gaza aid flotilla, is hit by multiple drone strikes and explosions in a recent string of attacks on humanitarian aid ships carrying over 500 volunteers and activists including Greta Thunberg.

As reported by activists, the aid ships suffered explosions induced by swarms of drones in the waters south of Crete on Wednesday, September 24. At least nine attacks were reported on eights of activists’ boats.

The Global Sumud Flotilla issued a statement, “Multiple drones, unidentified objects dropped, communications jammed and explosions heard from a number of boats.”

According to the crew, the ships were also attacked with sound bombs, unidentified chemicals, and explosive flares, leading to jamming and blocking their communications.

While taking to Instagram, US activist Greg Stoker said, “Our boat was assailed by a quadcopter that dropped a little popper on deck. A couple of other boats experienced that as well. Our VHF [very high frequency] radio was hijacked by adversarial comms, and they started playing Abba.”

The UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese condemned the attack on humanitarian aid ships and called for international protection against blatant attacks.

The Gaza-bound flotilla consists of 51 boats, started the journey from the western part of the Mediterranean Sea in September, aiming to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza and providing humanitarian aid to starving Palestinians.

Since its sail, the flotilla experienced two drone attacks in Tunisia before resuming its journey towards Gaza.