Why have Spain and Italy sent ships to assist the Gaza Sumud flotilla?
One of more than 50 boats taking part in the Global Sumud Flotilla, September 2025
Simon Speakman Cordall writes in Al Jazeera on 25 September 2025:
Italy and Spain have decided this week to dispatch naval vessels to assist the Global Sumud Flotilla on its way to break Israel’s siege of Gaza.
The unprecedented move to support a flotilla headed towards the Palestinian enclave comes after repeated attacks against the Sumud Flotilla, including a drone attack early on Wednesday.
Israel is widely believed to be behind the attacks. However, in keeping with many of its suspected overseas operations, the government has not commented. Israeli rhetoric against the flotilla, however, has escalated.
Early in the voyage, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called the activists on board “terrorists” and said they should be treated as such. More recently, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which has repeatedly urged the flotilla to unload its cargo in Israeli territory, described the effort to deliver aid as a “jihadist initiative”.
So how much danger is the flotilla in, and will the Spanish and Italian naval ships make any difference?
Here’s what we know:
How much risk is there to the flotilla?
The Global Sumud Flotilla has said it expects an “imminent” Israeli attack now that it is nearing Gaza. Israel itself has said it will “not allow any vessel to enter the active combat zone” and breach its naval blockade of Gaza.
Three previous attempts to similarly deliver aid to Gaza this year have been intercepted by Israeli forces.
In May, the Conscience was attacked and forced to return to port in Malta after being targeted by drones. An attempt in June was also blocked by Israel when the Madleen was intercepted in international waters and its crew detained. A third attempt in July by the Handala was intercepted by Israeli forces in international waters and its crew detained.
What have the Italian and Spanish governments said?
Speaking outside the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Wednesday, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who has been among Israel’s most prominent critics, told reporters: “The government of Spain demands that international law be complied with and that the right of its citizens to navigate the Mediterranean under safe conditions be respected.”
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How popular is support for Palestine in Spain and Italy?
Both Spain and Italy have large pro-Palestinian movements that have been galvanised by Israel’s genocide in Gaza.