"The Italian foreign ministry said Belgium, France and other European nations had asked them to help provide assistance to their citizens on the flot­illa if needed. Italy had proposed a compromise whereby aid supplies could be dropped off in Cyprus and handed over to the Catholic Church's Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which would then distribute them in Gaza. Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni said Israel backed the idea."
"Italy sent a first frigate on Wednesday, hours after the flotilla said it was targeted by drones that dropped stun grenades and itching powder on the vessels as they sailed in international waters 56km off the Greek island of Gavdos. No one was hurt, but some damage was caused to the vessels. Yesterday, Spain also said it was sending a warship to assist the flotilla, joining Italy in an unprecedented move by European governments."
About 50 civilian vessels making up the Global Sumud Flotilla are attempting to break Israel's naval blockade of Gaza with participants including lawyers, parliamentarians and activists such as Greta Thunberg. European governments, including Italy and Spain, deployed warships to protect and assist their citizens after reports that drones targeted the flotilla and damaged vessels in international waters. Italy proposed offloading aid in Cyprus for distribution by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, a plan reportedly backed by Israel but rejected by the flotilla. The flotilla says its goal is to end the siege and deliver humanitarian aid.
Read at Irish Independent
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