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A humanitarian aid convoy bound for Gaza came under drone attack overnight while sailing off the coast of Greece, prompting Amnesty International France to demand urgent state protection for the vessels and their crews.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, comprising approximately 50 ships seeking to break Israel's blockade of Gaza, was targeted by drones during the nighttime incident, the human rights organization said Wednesday on social media platform X.
"States must protect the people on board! They are already taking on a key role in the face of the inaction of States by attempting to act against the ongoing genocide," Amnesty France wrote, describing the drone incident as "unacceptable intimidation."
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The flotilla departed earlier this month with the stated goal of delivering humanitarian aid, particularly medical supplies, to Gaza's 2.4 million Palestinian residents who have lived under blockade for 18 years. The convoy's organizers aim to challenge Israel's naval blockade of the territory.
Amnesty France characterized the humanitarian mission as "perfectly legal under international law" and emphasized that protection of those aboard the vessels is "necessary and urgent."
The incident occurs amid ongoing conflict in Gaza, where more than 65,000 people have died since October 2023, according to local health authorities. UN investigators recently concluded that Israel is committing genocide in the territory, findings that Israel has disputed.
Previous flotilla attempts to reach Gaza have faced interception by Israeli naval forces, which maintain the blockade as a security measure against the territory's Hamas-controlled government. Israel argues the blockade prevents weapons smuggling while allowing humanitarian aid through official channels.
The attack on the convoy raises questions about the safety of humanitarian missions in international waters and the responsibilities of coastal states to protect vessels transiting their maritime areas.
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