Boats part of the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla, with Greta Thunberg on board, have been struck by drones.
Footage shared on Instagram showed multiple explosions as the vessels, carrying humanitarian aid for besieged Palestinians, are currently situated near Greece.
‘Multiple drones, unidentified objects dropped, communications jammed and explosions heard from a number of boats,’ the Global Sumud Flotilla said in a statement.
‘We are witnessing these psychological operations firsthand, right now, but we will not be intimidated.’
Reports from those on board suggest that flash-bang grenades have been deployed along with chemical sprays.
No one has been injured in the attack and the flotilla continues to monitor the situation.
German human rights activist and flotilla member Yasemin Acar said in a video she posted on Instagram that five vessels had been attacked.
She stressed that the flotilla is only transporting humanitarian aid, adding:’We have no weapons. We pose no threat to anyone.
‘It is Israel who is killing thousands of people (and) starving the population.’
In an earlier video, Acar said that ’15 to 16 drones’ had been seen, adding that their radios had also been jammed as loud music could be heard.
In another video, Brazilian activist Thiago Avila said four boats had been ‘targeted with drones throwing devices’ just before another explosion was heard in the background.
The Global Sumud Flotilla set sail from Barcelona earlier this month with the aim of breaking Israel’s blockade of Gaza and delivering aid to the territory.
It currently numbers 51 vessels, most of which are situated off the Greek island of Crete.
The flotilla had already been targeted by drones twice in Tunisia, where its boat had been anchored before resuming its voyage towards Gaza.
The mission is the largest effort of its kind aiming to reach Gaza, where 2.4 million Palestinians live under an Israeli blockade.
Israel has previously intercepted Gaza-bound ships, seizing the vessels and deporting those on board.
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