Current sectionIsrael NewsRome clarified it will send only one ship to assist the flotilla aimed at delivering aid to Gaza, after the defense minister claimed the country was sending a second one as wellShare to FacebookShare to XArticle printing is available to subscribers onlyPrint in a simple, ad-free formatSubscribeComments: Zen reading is available to subscribers onlyAd-free and in a comfortable reading formatSubscribeThe port of Ermoupolis as the Global Sumud Flotilla aims to reach Gaza, on Syros island, Greece, earlier in September. Credit: Giorgos Solaris/ReutersThe port of Ermoupolis as the Global Sumud Flotilla aims to reach Gaza, on Syros island, Greece, earlier in September. Credit: Giorgos Solaris/ReutersItaly's navy will assist the Gaza international aid flotilla with just one ship and not two as was previously understood, the defense ministry said on Thursday, adding that the vessel would not have any escort dutiesEarlier on Thursday, Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said Italy had sent a second navy ship in support of the international aid flotilla that has come under drone attack while trying to deliver aid to Gaza.The Global Sumud Flotilla is using about 50 civilian boats to try and break Israel's naval blockade of Gaza. Many lawyers and activists, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, are on board."We have sent one ship and another is on its way, ready for any eventuality," Crosetto said earlier in a speech to the lower house of parliament.Italy's Defence Minister Guido Crosetto in Rome, Thursday. Credit: Remo Casilli/ReutersItaly's Defence Minister Guido Crosetto in Rome, Thursday. Credit: Remo Casilli/ReutersHaaretz PodcastGerman ambassador: 'It's not a coincidence that so many Israelis are considering moving abroad'Haaretz PodcastGerman ambassador: 'It's not a coincidence that so many Israelis are considering moving abroad'total-- : --time0:00Italy sent a first frigate on Wednesday, hours after the GSF said it was targeted by drones that dropped stun grenades and itching powder, in international waters 30 nautical miles (56 kilometers, or around 35 miles) off the Greek island of Gavdos.The GSF blamed Israel for the attack.The Israeli foreign ministry did not respond directly to the accusation, but repeated an invitation for the flotilla to drop humanitarian aid in an Israeli port, leaving it to Israeli authorities to take it to Gaza, or else face consequences.Spain has also decided to send a military warship to protect the flotilla.Crosetto warned the activists against insisting on trying to break the Israeli blockade, and urged them to accept an Italian proposal to hand over their aid supplies and allow them to be distributed in Gaza by the local Catholic Church."We cannot guarantee the safety of our fellow citizens if they enter the territorial waters of other countries," Crosetto said.The GSF said early on Thursday that its vessels were sailing at slow speed in Greek territorial waters, had been subjected to "moderate drone activity" during the night, and were heading towards international waters "later today".In the NewsIsraeli AG Suspends Witness Harassment Case Against Netanyahu AidesIsraeli Soldier Killed by Mortar Fire in Southern Lebanon, IDF SaysWhy Israeli Music Icon David Broza Still Believes in the Power of Art'All the Wars Made Me Want to Escape. It's Not Weakness, It's Survival''Roald Dahl Probably Wouldn't Like a Jew Like Me. I Still Read Him to My Son'Remembering and rebuilding two years laterICYMIWhatsApp Co-founder Donates Record-breaking $200 Million to Jerusalem HospitalThe Hasidic Jews Behind Florida's Giant Golden Trump StatueLeaked Video of Arab Lawyer's Violent Arrest Contradicts Israel Police Account'A Slave Economy': Inside Israel's ultra-Orthodox Parallel StateStarlink Users, Beware – Israeli Tech Can Reveal Your IdentityIt Wasn't Just Revenge That Israel Was After in Gaza