Italy and Spain Deploy Navy Ships to Escort Gaza Aid Flotilla After Drone Attacks

Italy and Spain have taken a significant step by deploying naval ships to escort the Global Sumud Flotilla.

“ROME — One of President Donald Trump’s staunch allies, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, took office in 2022 as one of Israel’s most vocal supporters in Europe”

The Washington Post

The flotilla aims to break Israel's naval blockade of Gaza.

The Washington Post

This move comes after the flotilla, consisting of about 50 civilian boats carrying humanitarian aid, was reportedly attacked by drones in international waters near Greece.

The flotilla includes activists and notable figures like Greta Thunberg.

It has faced multiple drone attacks involving explosives and communication jamming.

The deployment of naval ships by Italy and Spain marks an unprecedented level of European government involvement in the flotilla's mission.

This reflects growing pro-Palestinian sentiment in Europe.

The flotilla's mission is to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, which has been under an Israeli blockade for 18 years.

The blockade has resulted in severe humanitarian conditions, including widespread famine and destruction.

The Nightly

The flotilla has reported being targeted by drones dropping explosives and chemical sprays, causing damage but no injuries.

Israel has not directly confirmed responsibility for these attacks but has accused the flotilla of complicity with Hamas and insists that aid should be delivered through Israeli ports for inspection.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, despite Italy's traditional alliance with Israel, has criticized the flotilla as gratuitous, dangerous and irresponsible.

“Sep 25, 2025|Politics,Society A member of Poland’s parliament who is part of an aid flotilla attempting to reach Gaza that claims to have been attacked by drones has called on his country’s government to condemn the incident and help protect the ships”

Notes From Poland

She emphasized that Italy's navy would not use force and proposed that aid be offloaded in Cyprus for distribution by the Catholic Church.

This plan is reportedly supported by Israel and is under discussion with the Vatican.

The proposal reflects Italy's attempt to balance its humanitarian concerns with its diplomatic relations with Israel.

The involvement of European naval ships has heightened tensions with Israel, which has vowed to prevent the flotilla from breaching its blockade.

Israel's Foreign Ministry has reiterated its stance against allowing vessels into the combat zone, suggesting aid be delivered through nearby ports instead.

VOZ News

The flotilla, however, remains determined to challenge the blockade directly, citing the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza as justification for their mission.