Flotilla Bound for Gaza Reports Radio Jamming, ABBA Music as Attacks Erupt at Sea
Activists aboard 10-ship convoy say communications were jammed and ABBA songs blasted from their radios as drones and explosions were observed near the flotilla bound for Gaza; Greece and Italy mobilized assets to assist.
A flotilla of 10 civilian ships sailing from Spain toward Gaza reported that its radios were jammed and ABBA music blasted from its vessels, an incident organizers described as a psychological operation aimed at intimidating participants. The Global Sumud Flotilla, which includes activists traveling to Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid, said the mission began Sept. 1.
Overnight, the flotilla said it observed at least 13 explosions around its ships and that communications were jammed, making it difficult to contact the coast guard. Greta Thunberg and other activists persisted in their plan to reach Gaza, despite the disruptions. A flotilla participant described the scene as a battlefield, saying there were bombs after bombs and no one came to help. The group said it would not be intimidated by the psychological operations, and Thunberg noted that drones are a daily reality for Palestinians as part of the broader conflict.
Greece’s Coast Guard said it did not receive distress calls from the flotilla. Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto condemned the assault, and Italian and Spanish navy ships were deployed to offer assistance to the flotilla. The assault drew condemnation from the participating governments and added to a broader diplomatic dispute over the mission.
Israel’s foreign ministry condemned the flotilla as being organized by Hamas and aimed at advancing the group’s goals, although no public evidence was provided in the statement. Italy’s Foreign Ministry said its computer systems were hit by a mail bombing campaign intended to overwhelm its networks with thousands of fake emails, and noted that 58 Italians were participating, including some lawmakers.
The flotilla has claimed throughout the month that its ships have been targeted in previous incidents, including two attacks off the coast of Tunisia, though Tunisian officials said those claims had no basis in truth. As the convoy pressed toward Gaza, authorities in several countries said they were monitoring the situation and prepared to assist if needed. The latest developments come amid broader international debate over how to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza while navigating a volatile security environment.
The mission continues to be a focal point of tensions surrounding Gaza aid efforts, with organizers emphasizing civilian participation from dozens of nations and authorities urging restraint amid far-reaching regional implications. As the situation develops, more details are expected to emerge about the incidents at sea, the responses from Greece and Italy, and the broader international response to the flotilla’s attempt to break the blockade and deliver aid to Gaza. Finally, Tunisian officials reiterated that earlier attacks reported near their waters had no basis in truth, underscoring the contested and opaque nature of the flotilla’s encounters in the region.
