Italian and Spanish warships have descended on Greta Thunberg's Gaza-bound flotilla - which has been urged to hand over its aid.

The "Global Sumud Flotilla" is made up of around 50 boats and is sailing to the Gaza Strip to Israel's naval blockade of Gaza and distribute aid.

However, its aid initiative has been criticised by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who called it "gratuitous, dangerous and irresponsible".

Instead, she has urged those involved to hand over the aid so that it can be distributed by the local Catholic Church.

Italian and Spanish warships have descended on Greta Thunberg's Gaza-bound flotilla

Ms Meloni's plan involves the aid being given to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem in Cyprus.

While talking to reporters in New York, she claimed her plan had the support of the Cypriot, Israeli and Italian Governments.

The flotilla has repeatedly suffered drone attacks during its voyage, the most recent of which saw "explosions, unidentified drones and communications jamming" affect 11 vessels, according to the organisation.

The group swiftly blamed Israel - which denies any involvement.

Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto condemned the incident, however he said it had been carried out by "currently unidentified perpetrators".

He has now sent the Italian multi-purpose frigate Fasan, which had been sailing north of Crete, to meet the flotilla for possible rescue operations.

Swedish activist Greta Thunberg is on the Global Sumud Flotilla alongside other activists

It is understood he instructed the boat to focus mainly on Italian citizens on board.

Spain's socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has also promised to send a military warship to participate in any potential rescue missions.

He said: "The Government of Spain insists that international law be respected and that the right of our citizens should be respected to sail through the Mediterranean in safe conditions.

"Tomorrow we will dispatch a naval vessel from Cartagena with all necessary resources in case it was necessary to assist the flotilla and carry out a rescue operation."

PICTURED: A sign reading 'hands off the flotilla' paraded during pro-Palestine protests in Italy

According to two Italian MEPs who are on board the flotilla, drones dropped stun grenades and itching powder in the middle of the night, leaving some sails damaged.

Annalisa Corrado of the Democratic Party said in a video message that "very loud Abba music" started playing through the radios onboard before the attack.

She added: "We thought it was a joke, but no, it was the first act of intimidation, to tell us they were close enough to get into our radio systems."

An official from the Greek coastguard said they were contacted by the flotilla at around 2am to inform them of the attack, however they did not require assistance.

Giorgia Meloni criticised the aid initiative

Israel has repeatedly criticised the flotilla, and has accused the activists of complicity with Hamas.

The country's Foreign Ministry has invited the aid to be dropped off at an Israeli port, adding that the Israeli authorities would then distribute it around Gaza.

Otherwise, the flotilla has been warned it would face consequences because "Israel will not allow vessels to enter an active combat zone and will not allow any breach of the lawful naval blockade".

MAPPED: Israel and the Palestinian territories. Israel has repeatedly criticised Greta Thunberg's Gaza-bound flotilla