By Lesedi Sibiya-Diplomatic Insider
The Global Flotilla Sumud which had occupants from over forty countries that set sail two weeks ago in order to provide aid to Gaza was attacked by air strikes this week.
This counts as the second time that flotilla came under attack since setting sail in August, as drones had deployed projectile missiles towards the boats which had docked in Tunis two weeks ago.
There is no explicit evidence as to who is responsible for these air strikes however Tom Barrack, Donald Trump’s Syrian envoy had admitted that the drone strikes had been deployed by Israeli forces.
The attack followed a few days after Israeli had accused the flotilla of working with Hamas and was said that they were taking precautionary measures against the organization they have been at war with.
As this flotilla has participants from various countries this is seen as an attack on those respective countries which contain participants from countries such as Portugal, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and Poland and is regarded as a war between those countries and Israel.
Many of the experienced sailors had expressed that this may be a tactic from the Israeli forces to exhaust the sailors while they embark on this voyage as they are now forced to be on guard 24/7 in order to look out for any impending drone attacks.
Israeli forces consider the voyage towards Gaza a breach of a lawful naval blockade, as drones have been circulating and tracking the progression of the flotilla as it edges closer and closer towards Gaza.
The Israeli navy has vowed to intercept the flotilla as it aims to bring relief to the people of Gaza. “We are following this flotilla; we have experience from the past , but this one is different, with dozens of vessels,” said Military Spokesperson, Brig.Gen.Effie Defrin in a press conference regarding the flotilla.
“This flotilla, we know to say, is planned and funded by Hamas, by Hamas representatives in Europe; we have clear evidence of this.” added Defrin who made no effort to produce any tangible evidence in the matter.
“Our mission stays true to its original goal of breaking Israel’s illegal siege and delivering humanitarian aid to the besieged population of Gaza” said members of the Italian contingent who are participants in the voyage.
Members of the flotilla have expressed that they are slowing down course within Greek waters as they have expressed that they are six days away from Gaza.