Italy Dispatches Navy Frigate After Drone Incident Targets Gaza-Bound Flotilla
Italy’s Defence Minister, Guido Crosetto, announced on Wednesday that a naval frigate had been deployed to assist a Gaza-bound flotilla after organisers reported their vessels were harassed by drones off the coast of Greece.
“To ensure the safety of Italian citizens aboard the flotilla, I consulted with the Prime Minister and authorised the immediate intervention of the Italian Navy’s multi-purpose frigate Fasan, which was already operating north of Crete under Operation Safe Sea,” Crosetto said. “The ship is now heading to the area to provide possible rescue support.”
The minister strongly condemned the drone “attack” carried out by unidentified actors, calling it unacceptable.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani confirmed he had reached out to Israeli officials, urging them to safeguard the Italian nationals involved — among them parliamentarians and Members of the European Parliament who joined the pro-Palestinian mission.
According to a statement from the ministry, Rome had earlier reminded Israel that any military operation must respect international law and exercise “absolute caution.”
Tajani also instructed Italy’s embassy in Tel Aviv to gather further details and reinforce the demand that Israeli authorities guarantee “absolute protection” for those on board the flotilla.