Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez announced on that his country will send a warship from the port of Cartagena in southeastern Spain to support the international Global Sumud Flotilla heading to the Gaza Strip with the aim of breaking the Israeli blockade.

Spain to send a warship to protect the ‘ray of hope’ Gaza humanitarian flotilla

Sánchez said in a press statement after participating in the UN General Assembly session on Wednesday that:

a naval vessel equipped with all the necessary resources will leave tomorrow (Thursday) from Cartagena to support the flotilla and carry out rescue missions if necessary.

Spanish media reported that the government’s decision came after a similar move by Italy, noting that the Spanish Ministry of Defence confirmed that the ship would operate exclusively in international waters.

Commenting on the move, deputy prime minister and minister of labor and social economy Yolanda Diaz said:

We have called for the protection of the flotilla, and we are proud that the government has decided to send a ship for this purpose.

She added via the Bluesky that:

pressure works, and the Gaza flotilla is a ray of hope that must be protected.

For her part, minister of youth and children Sira Rego called for:

lifting the blockade, opening humanitarian corridors, and stopping the genocide,” stressing that “the Global Solidarity Flotilla is moving forward and will not remain alone.

Culture minister Ernesto Urtasun stressed that:

Spain is taking action while others remain silent. Solidarity is not just rhetoric, but action.

Spain and Italy stepping after Israel’s attacks

The Spanish move comes after Italy announced it was sending the multi-mission frigate ‘Fasan’, stationed north of Crete, to the Aegean Sea to secure its citizens and support the Global Sumud Flotilla after it was attacked by drones. The Italian government stressed at the time that protecting activists and humanitarian crews is a moral duty, while the Italian opposition emphasised the need for broader action at the European level.

The Global Sumud Flotilla, which includes more than 50 boats heading towards Gaza to break the siege and open a humanitarian corridor, was attacked on 24 September by drones believed to be Israeli, resulting in several explosions and a loss of communication, but no human casualties.

In this context, UN Human Rights Commission spokesman Thameen Al-Kheetan condemned the targeting of the flotilla, while the opposition in Greece and France called for its protection.

Israel’s repeated threats

The flotilla confirmed that 12 explosions targeted nine of its ships as a result of drone strikes, without specifying the timing of the attacks or who was responsible for them, while Israel remained silent despite its previous threats to prevent the flotilla from reaching Gaza.

Israel has previously detained individual ships that attempted to sail to the Strip in recent years and deported the activists on board. Now, for the first time since the start of the 18-year blockade, this large number of ships is setting sail together, loaded with humanitarian aid, including medical supplies, towards Gaza. The fleet is doing so in solidarity with 2.4 million Palestinians that call the besieged Strip home.

Featured image via the Canary

By Alaa Shamali

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