In an unprecedented move for Western countries, Italy and Spain overlooked likely Israeli reactions and deployed military vessels to assist an international aid flotilla that came under drone attack while trying to deliver aid to Gaza.
The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) is using about 50 civilian boats to try to break Israel's naval blockade of Gaza. Many lawyers, parliamentarians and activists, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, are on board.
Italy's Defense Minister Guido Crosetto said Thursday his country had sent one ship and another was on its way, primarily to offer assistance to Italians aboard the flotilla. He, however, urged activists to abandon plans to breach the blockade.
"It is not an act of war, it is not a provocation: it is an act of humanity, which is a duty of a state toward its citizens," he told the upper house of parliament on the decision to send navy ships.
Flotilla rejects compromise
