Netanyahu's Drone Attacks on Gaza-Bound Aid Boats
Netanyahu's Drone Attacks on Gaza-Bound Aid Boats
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly authorized drone strikes on two humanitarian aid vessels headed to Gaza last month. These boats, part of a flotilla carrying activists including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, were moored off Tunisia’s port of Sidi Bou Said when the attacks occurred. The drones, launched from a submarine, dropped incendiary devices that caused fires but no injuries, according to U.S. intelligence sources.
Context and Legal Concerns
Israel has maintained a naval blockade of Gaza since 2009, aiming to restrict maritime traffic to the region. The use of incendiary weapons against civilian vessels raises serious concerns under international humanitarian law, which prohibits targeting civilian objects in conflict zones. The flotilla was intended to deliver critical humanitarian aid and political support to Gaza amid ongoing tensions.
Reactions and Implications
The attacks sparked international condemnation and protests, especially from countries whose citizens participated in the flotilla. Israeli forces have intercepted numerous vessels attempting to break the blockade, emphasizing the ongoing complexity and volatility surrounding aid efforts to Gaza.
