ATHENS, Greece — An international aid flotilla was set to leave Greek waters and head towards Gaza on Friday, organizers said, defying warnings from Israel that it would use any means to block the boat’s 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 Israel strongly opposes. Many lawyers, parliamentarians and activists, including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, are on board.
Its 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 dispatched naval ships to assist their citizens and other European citizens on the flotilla.
Spanish media reported on Thursday that the Spanish ships were armed with the Israeli Typhoon remote naval weapon system, made by Israeli company Rafael in association with BAE Systems. Spain recently announced a total arms embargo on Israel, canceling several defense deals.
Greece said it would guarantee the safe departure of the flotilla from Greece, but Friday’s launch will take the flotilla back into international waters in the eastern Mediterranean. Organizers said the boats aim to arrive early next week.
Israel, which has imposed a naval blockade on Gaza, said the flotilla will not pass and that the project will only assist Hamas.
IDF spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin said Thursday that the Israeli Navy is ready to intercept the boats, although he noted a greater challenge than past flotilla attempts: “This one is different, with dozens of vessels.”
The flotilla has blamed Israel for the drone attacks. The Foreign Ministry did not respond directly to the accusation, but invited the flotilla to drop humanitarian aid for Israel to take to Gaza, or face consequences.
The exact timing of the departure from Greece is unclear. Organizers said on Friday that one of its lead boats had suffered a mechanical failure but that it was still preparing to depart.
“We are not just delivering humanitarian aid. We are trying to deliver hope and solidarity, to send a strong message that the world stands with Palestine,” Thunberg said from the deck of a boat off the Greek island of Crete on Thursday.
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.
Israel said it backed the idea, but the flotilla organizers rejected it.
Italy’s foreign ministry has sent a message to Italian members of the flotilla warning them against continuing with the mission, and offering help with repatriation if they choose to disembark in Greece.
It said the navy ship it has deployed would intervene only for sea rescue or humanitarian operations, and would “under no circumstances” engage in defensive or offensive military maneuvers against anyone.
“Whoever [continues with the mission] takes on all risks and is personally responsible for them,” the ministry told activists.