The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) reported being targeted by at least 13 explosions in international waters as they drew nearer to the Gaza Strip early Wednesday morning.
In a press release from the GSF, the activist group accused the Israeli government and the IDF of “an alarmingly dangerous escalation.”
There has been no official confirmation of Israel’s involvement.
The flotilla stated that 15 drones had been flying at low altitudes, passing over the fleet’s vessels multiple times throughout the night, and alleged that unidentified objects were dropped on 10 of the boats by the drones.
A spokesperson for the flotilla also claimed that their radios were hijacked by “adversarial comms” to play music from the Swedish pop band ABBA in what the spokesperson referred to as a “psychological operation.”
GSF has accused Israel of launching a “coordinated smear campaign” against the flotilla after Israeli officials referred to it as the “Hamas Flotilla.”
Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli recently released a report documenting ties between flotilla leaders and terrorist organizations Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood.
The flotilla refused to dock in Ashkelon
According to the Israeli Foreign Military, the flotilla was offered an opportunity to dock and unload its cargo at the Ashkelon Marina.
The flotilla refused and continued sailing towards the Gaza Strip. The Foreign Ministry called the move “the illegal path - sailing into a combat zone and breaching the lawful naval blockade.”
On September 10, the flotilla reported another two drone attacks while docked at a port in Tunisia. The Tsunisian government investigated and asserted that the incidents were likely accidental fires.
In response to the group's claims, UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan said in a statement, "Attacks and threats against those trying to deliver aid to and support the hundreds of thousands of people in Gaza who are suffering famine and starvation defy belief.
"There must be an independent, impartial and thorough investigation into the reported attacks and harassment by drones and other objects against the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla. Such attacks must stop, and those responsible for violations must be held to account."
"As the occupying power, Israel must ensure food and medical supplies for the population to the fullest extent of the means available, or to agree to and facilitate impartial humanitarian relief schemes, delivered rapidly and without hindrance. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk calls on Israel to urgently lift the blockade on Gaza and allow the entry of life-saving material through all means possible."