Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto condemned on Wednesday an apparent drone attack on the Global Sumud Flotilla as it left Greece en route toward Gaza.

He added that Italy was sending a naval ship to be nearby if the flotilla required assistance. "The vessel is already en route to the area for possible rescue operations," Crosetto wrote on X.

"In a democracy, demonstrations and forms of protest must also be protected when they are carried out in accordance with international law and without resorting to violence," Crosetto said.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani called on Israel to ensure that no Italian citizens on any of the 51 ships in the convoy were harmed.

Italy's right-wing government does not support the activists and holds the Israeli blockade of Gaza to be lawful, but Tajani's office called on the Israeli government to remain in "compliance with international law and the principle of absolute caution" when dealing with those on board.

Some lawmakers with Italy's left-wing opposition parties are among the activists and journalists aboard the ships.

Israel calls for flotilla to unload aid at Israeli port

Israel has repeatedly criticized the flotilla, accusing those on board of complicity with the Hamas militant group. 

The Israeli Foreign Ministry warned on X that Israel "would take the necessary measures" to stop the flotilla if it did not accept a proposal to unload aid in an Israeli port.

"Israel will not allow vessels to enter an active combat zone and will not allow the breach of a lawful naval blockade," the ministry said Monday. "Israel urges the participants not to break the law and to accept Israel's proposal for a peaceful transfer of any aid they might have."

Witnesses describe drone intimidation tactics

People aboard the ships reported "flash bombs, explosive flares and suspected chemicals" appearing above them overnight, counting "15 or 16 drones."

The vessels were attacked by 12 drones in international waters off the coast of the Greek island of Gavdos, said Marikaiti Stasinou, a spokesperson for March to Gaza Greece, which is part of the flotilla.

The Greek Coast Guard told news outlets that none of the boats were damaged. 

Two weeks ago, the flotilla said it had also experienced drone attacks while leaving Tunisia. Tunisian authorities have denied any involvement in the alleged attack.

The flotilla seeks to break the naval blockade of Gaza that started before the October 7, 2023, attacks led by Hamas in southern Israel that killed 1,200 people and saw about 250 more taken hostage. 

The  Israeli military campaign in response has killed tens of thousands and left hundreds of thousands without adequate food and medical supplies. International organizations, including United Nations bodies, have characterized Israel's policy in Gaza as a genocide. 

Earlier attempts by similar flotillas to reach Gaza over the summer were intercepted by Israeli forces and their passengers sent home.

Edited by: Sean Sinico