Gaza aid flotilla set to head east from Greece despite Israeli warnings

Italy and Spain send naval ships to assist European citizens on boats

An international aid flotilla was set to leave Greek waters and head towards Gaza on Friday, organisers said, defying warnings from Israel that it would use any means to block the boats' access to the war-torn enclave.

The Global Sumud Flotilla is using about 50 civilian boats to try to break Israel's naval blockade of Gaza, an initiative that Israel strongly opposes.

Israel said the flotilla would not pass and that the project will only help Hamas.

Lawyers, parliamentarians and activists, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, are on board. The flotilla's passage across the Mediterranean has raised international tensions, especially after it said it was attacked by drones this week.

No one was hurt, but Italy and Spain have sent naval ships to provide assistance to their and other European citizens on the flotilla.

Greece said it would guarantee the safe sailing of the flotilla off the country. However, Friday's launch will take the boats back into international waters in the eastern Mediterranean. Organisers said the flotilla aims to arrive at its destination early next week.

This week, the crew said they had heard explosions and seen drones trying to strike some of their boats off the coast of Greece. There have been several such incidents since the flotilla set sail from Barcelona on August 31.

Italy's Defence Minister Guido Crosetto condemned the attack on the activists, which include Italian citizens. After talks with Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, he ordered the frigate Fasan to sail to the area for “possible rescue operations”.

Italy is not a vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause, and has so far declined to join Britain, France and others in recognising the state of Palestine. But Ms Meloni's government was under pressure this week as Italians held a nationwide day of strikes and marches against the war in Gaza.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Spain will also send a patrol vessel to help the flotilla, or carry out a rescue.

Israel has come under heavy international pressure over its war in Gaza, which has sparked a humanitarian crisis in the territory.

Last month, a body backed by the UN officially declared famine in parts of the enclave. UN investigators this month also accused Israel of committing “genocide” and Israeli leaders of incitement.

With Reuters