Dhaka, Sep 25 (V7N) – Italy and Spain have dispatched military vessels to safeguard the Gaza-bound aid convoy, known as the Sumud Flotilla, following repeated drone attacks near Tunisia and Greece.

According to a BBC report published Wednesday, the two European nations confirmed their ships are en route to the flotilla, tasked with providing security as well as conducting possible rescue operations.

The decision follows multiple drone strikes that damaged several vessels in recent days. Human rights activists accompanying the flotilla had earlier appealed for international protection.

On Tuesday, Al Jazeera reported explosions near the ships and the presence of Israeli drones overhead. Most of the vessels in the flotilla were moving in coordination after departing from Tunisia, Greece, and other countries, and were last tracked southwest of Crete.

The Global Sea Flotilla originally set sail from Barcelona, Spain, carrying relief supplies for Gaza. This marks its fifth attempt after four previous missions were blocked by Israeli forces. The current mission includes around 50 ships with activists from 44 countries, among them Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.

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