Turkey has joined Spain, Italy, and Greece in monitoring the Global Sumud Flotilla that carries pro-Palestinian activists and humanitarian aids for Gaza, according to Reuters.
The flotilla continued sailing east across the Mediterranean on Monday amid Israeli warnings to stop the mission.
Flight tracking websites noted that three long-endurance drones, launched from Turkey’s Corlu airbase, have been circling over the flotilla for three consecutive days.
This move shows the increasing international attention on the vessels that are currently on their own way to breach Israel’s naval blockade on Gaza and deliver some aids to the Palestinians in the enclave.
On Monday, the flotilla remained hundreds of miles from the Gaza coastline on Monday.
It has set sail again for Gaza after pausing for several days in Greek waters for required repairs.
“Brothers and sisters in Gaza, we sail with hope in our hearts. Your resilience is our compass; your struggle is our struggle. Together, we will break the silence of the siege,” the Global Sumud Flotilla wrote on social media.
Organizers said that the mission was anticipated to reach Gaza in about four days.
Growing Concerns
The vessel’s journey across the Mediterranean has sparked international tensions, particularly after it reported drone attacks that targeted its boats.
The flotilla has accused Israel of attacking its boats. However, Israel’s Foreign Ministry did not respond directly to the accusation. Instead, it invited the ship to drop humanitarian aids for Israel and Israeli authorities will deliver them to Gaza, or face consequences.
Italian Proposal
Italy suggested a compromise in which the aid would be dropped off in Cyprus and transferred to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem for distribution in Gaza.
On Sunday, Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani repeated this proposal, but the organizers dismissed it.
“We have always said … that it is dangerous to approach Israeli waters. We don’t know what might happen. Forcing the blockade is dangerous,” Tajani told reporters.
“Israel has shown several times it has no red lines so it is clear that we are worried by what it could do. We will obviously do everything to have a peaceful, non-violent stance,” Italian European Parliament member, Benedetta Scuderi, told Italy’s Radio 24 on Monday from aboard the flotilla.
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