Italy deploy navy frigate to support Sumud Flotilla after drone attack

 GREECE - Italian Government finally makes a move following the attack on the Sumud Flotilla, thanks mainly to the efforts of Defence minister Guido Crosetto, who prepares to send frigates to help support the remaining boats and assist with any rescue efforts.

 After the attack against at least seven boats in the Sumud Flotilla, hit with the use of drones whilst in international waters off the Greek caost, the head of Defence thus took this stance on the situation: “Regarding the sudden attack in the last few hours against the boats, aboard which there were also Italian citizens, carries out through the use of drones on behalf of authorities that are yet to be identified, one can only express the harshest of condemnation,” reports Il Fatto Quotidiano.

 The Italian government has thus decided to move the Navy; “To guarantee support for the Italian citizens present on the flotilla, tonight I authorized the immediate intervention of the multipurpose Fasan frigate from the Navy which was north of Crete carrying out the Safe Sea operation," announced Crosetto.

 "The frigate is already heading towards the area to help with rescure activities.” The minister added that “in democracy, the manifestations and forms of protest must also be protected when they take place in compliance with the rules of international law and without using violence.”

 Crosetto, who approved the decision alongside the Prime Minister, specifies that “the Israeli military employees, our ambassador, military figures in Tel Aviv and the crisis unit of the Farnesina were all informed.” Today in the Chamber and the Senate the opposition tried to block the move, asking that Crosetto reports it to the courtroom. Shortly after Giorgio Mule in Montecitorio and Ignazio La Russa at Palazzo Madama communicated that the minister will report tomorrow in both rooms.

 “The sending of the Italian frigate” announced Crosetto “seems to me to be the minimum.” President of M5S Giuseppe Conte commented: “It is our duty to ensure protection for Italian boats under attack. Meloni’s silence and immobility is shocking – he added -. Two years of nothing regarding sanctions to Israel, weapons embaergos, a stop to the military cooperation agreements.”

 In the last few days, it should be remembered, the Israeli Defense Minister had requested that the Sumud Flotilla "dock at the port of Ashkelon and unload the aid there, from where they will be transferred promptly in a coordinated way to the Gaza Strip," warning that "Israel will not allow boats to enter an active combat area and will not allow the violation of a legitimate naval block."

 A request, replied the Global Movement to Gaza, which "cannot be interpreted as a neutral logistical need," but "is part of a longterm model: the deliberate obstruction by Israel of aid intended for Gaza and its attempts to delegitimize those who contest its illegal blockade."

 It was Giorgia Meloni herself, speaking from New York, who confirmed the proposal of the Italian government to provide the delivery of aid to Cyprus and the involvement of Cardinal Pizzaballa. According to what has emerged from trusted sources, the aid transported by the Flotilla should be delivered to the parishes of the Latin Patriarchate in Cyprus, and then from there transferred to the port of Ashdod in Israel, and then, through a ceasefire corridor, make their way into Gaza.

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