Overview

• Organizers of the Global Sumud Flotilla reported night-time drone harassment south of Crete with more than a dozen explosions, irritants released and radio jamming, initially citing no injuries and damage to several vessels.
• A Greek coastguard statement relayed by Frontex said a patrol saw no visible damage when it approached one of the ships, underscoring sharply conflicting accounts of the incident.
• Italy dispatched the frigate Virginio Fasan for potential rescue operations, and Spain said it would send a naval vessel to safeguard its citizens aboard the convoy.
• The UN human rights office and the European Commission called for an independent, impartial investigation and stressed that freedom of navigation must be respected.
• Israel reiterated it will block the flotilla from entering what it calls an active combat zone and urged cargo to be offloaded at Israeli or nearby ports for transfer to Gaza as the roughly 50-ship convoy holds position near Crete with lawmakers and activists, including Greta Thunberg, on board.