Overview

• Spain has readied the BAM Furor to depart Cartagena to escort the Global Sumud Flotilla with a mission focused on surveillance, deterrence and potential rescues.
• Italy’s frigate Virginio Fasan has moved toward the flotilla near Crete, and Defense Minister Guido Crosetto announced a second ship, Alpino, to add capability.
• Flotilla organizers reported explosions, swarming drones and communications interference in waters south of Greece, with no injuries publicly reported from the latest incidents.
• Rome urged offloading the aid in Cyprus for transfer by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, and Israel proposed unloading at a nearby foreign port for delivery into Gaza.
• Officials describe the deployments as protective rather than combat operations, with limits on protection inside contested zones and orders for Spain’s Furor to avoid provocation.