Italy has dispatched a naval warship to safeguard the “Global Sumud Flotilla” after several of its boats came under drone attacks allegedly carried out by Israel, triggering international concern.

The flotilla — currently sailing in international waters near the Greek coast with 51 vessels — aims to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid.

It includes activists, human rights defenders, and political figures from around the world, among them Pakistan’s former senator Mushtaq Ahmad and Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.

According to flotilla organisers, multiple drones targeted several boats, dropping unidentified objects, jamming communication systems, and causing explosions.

Videos shared on the flotilla’s official page show at least one vessel hit by a blast.

German rights activist Yasmin Acar said on Instagram that “five boats were attacked by 15 to 16 drones; radios were jammed and loud music blasted.”

Brazilian activist Thiago Avila also reported that four boats were struck by drone-dropped devices, followed by further explosions.

Mushtaq Ahmad, who posted footage of the attack on social media, said that ten Israeli drones carried out strikes late at night, dropping incendiary material, explosives, and a chemical substance harmful to touch and smell.

Calling it an act of “psychological warfare” aimed at intimidation, he vowed: “Our determination is firm. God willing, we will reach Gaza.”

He further accused Israel of “racist terrorism and bullying” and urged Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to take the matter to the United Nations, the OIC, and other global forums.

Flotilla organisers condemned the attacks as an attempt to derail their mission, stating: “We are witnessing psychological warfare before our eyes, but we will not be intimidated.”

This is not the first such incident. Earlier this month, flotilla members claimed they were attacked near Tunisia, though Tunisian authorities denied it.

The current flotilla, which departed Barcelona in late August, carries hundreds of activists. Most vessels are currently positioned near Crete.

On Monday, Israel categorically declared it would not allow the convoy to reach Gaza.

In June and July, Israel intercepted and blocked two other aid flotillas attempting to reach the besieged territory.