DaysofPal- At least 10 ships belonging to the Global “Flotilla of Steadfastness,” which is sailing to break the blockade on Gaza, came under attack by Israeli drones early Wednesday in the Mediterranean Sea, with multiple explosions reported.
Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, confirmed that seven drone strikes hit the flotilla after 15 unmanned aircraft were seen flying over several vessels en route to Gaza.
She called for “immediate protection” for the flotilla, citing repeated assaults.
The flotilla’s organizing committee reported on social media that 13 explosions were recorded, along with severe communication disruptions.
It added that unidentified objects were dropped on 10 ships, causing damage but no casualties.
The committee accused “Israel” of running a disinformation campaign to justify a possible military strike, warning that any attack on the humanitarian convoy would amount to a war crime and a violation of international law.
Al Jazeera’s correspondent aboard one of the ships said drones had dropped an unknown substance with the smell of gunpowder over several vessels, though no injuries were reported.
This is not the first time the flotilla has faced aerial harassment.
Surveillance drones flew over the ship two days ago, and earlier this month, on September 8 and 9, the flotilla reported similar drone attacks in the Mediterranean, though without damage or casualties.
The flotilla, comprised of international activists and humanitarian groups, is attempting to challenge the years-long Israeli blockade on Gaza, where Palestinians have endured nearly two years of devastating genocidal war that has been continuing for over 700 days so far.
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