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Turkish military drones are actively monitoring the Global Sumud Flotilla heading to Gaza through the eastern Mediterranean, flight tracking data shows, as the humanitarian convoy reports multiple drone attacks that prompted Italy and Spain to dispatch naval vessels for protection.
Flight tracking records from Flightradar24 show Turkish reconnaissance aircraft with call signs VATOZ-21, VATOZ-22 and TCB816 conducting patrol operations over the flotilla for the second consecutive day.
The aircraft, departing from Tekirdag and Dalaman, respectively, match flight profiles consistent with those of Bayraktar Akinci and TB2 drones.
The Turkish surveillance comes as the flotilla, consisting of approximately 50 vessels carrying humanitarian aid and medical supplies, continues its journey approximately 2,000 miles from Gaza.
The Global Sumud Flotilla's Maghreb branch reported Friday that unidentified military aircraft flew at low altitude over its ships while in Greek territorial waters for the second time this week.
"We are sailing peacefully in international waters. We are not carrying weapons. We are carrying food, baby formula, medical supplies, and water," Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg, who is aboard the flotilla, said in an Instagram interview.
The flotilla's organizers have accused Israel of "the deployment of explosive and incendiary devices, deliberate dispersal of chemical substances onto civilian vessels," causing damage to some vessels' sails and material damage to others.
The United Nations has called for an investigation into the alleged attacks. U.N. Human Rights Office spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan said anyone responsible for the "violations" should be held accountable through an "independent, impartial and thorough investigation."
Italy dispatched a frigate already in the eastern Mediterranean to protect the flotilla, which includes Italian activists and parliament members.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the drone attacks while calling the flotilla initiative "dangerous and irresponsible."
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced Madrid would dispatch a navy ship on Thursday "to ensure that, if necessary, our citizens can be rescued."
"I want to make it clear to the government of Israel that Spain will, of course, protect its nationals, and we will do so both diplomatically and politically," Sanchez stated.
The European Commission emphasized that freedom of navigation under international law "must be upheld."
"No attacks, no drone strikes, no seizures or any use of force against the flotilla is acceptable," said commission spokesperson Eva Hrncirova.
Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein called Gaza an "active combat zone" under "lawful naval blockade."
"If their intentions are sincere, they should transfer any such aid to the nearby Ashkelon Marina so it can be forwarded promptly to the Gaza Strip in a non-violent manner," Marmorstein told Agence France-Presse (AFP).
The ministry later suggested the flotilla could unload aid "at any port in a nearby country outside Israel" for transfer to Gaza.
Tunisian authorities detained a foreign national on Friday on charges of attacking a ship belonging to the Global Sumud Flotilla at Sidi Bou Said port near Tunis, according to local outlet Mosaique FM.
The suspect's identity and arrest date were not disclosed.
Tunisia's Interior Ministry described the Sept. 10 attack on a ship anchored at Sidi Bou Said as "premeditated."
The National Unit for the Investigation of Terrorist Crimes and Crimes Against National Security has taken custody of the suspect.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, which set sail from Barcelona earlier this month, aims to break Israel's naval blockade and deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The convoy currently comprises 51 vessels, most of which are positioned off the Greek island of Crete.
The flotilla describes itself as an independent group not linked to any government or political party. Sumud means "resilience" in Arabic.
UN investigators recently concluded that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, where over 65,500 people have been killed since October 2023.
The Israeli military operations have killed at least 65,419 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to Gaza's health ministry.
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