Israel says it will prevent Flotilla carrying humanitarian aid from reaching Gaza

Israel has said that it will prevent the Global Sumud Flotilla carrying humanitarian aid from entering Gaza, after the activists confirmed they will continue with their journey in spite of the attacks they have reported. 

"Israel will prevent the boats from entering a dangerous combat zone," the spokesman for the Israeli Foreign Ministry, Eden Bar Tal, said on Thursday.

He avoided commenting on how they will do so, but has assured that "they will do everything possible to protect the safety of the passengers."

Asked about the ships that Spain and Italy have announced they will send to assist the Flotilla "if there are difficulties," he indicated that Israel has "no problem" with the presence of these vessels.

"We understand that they are ships intended for a rescue mission in case any need arises. We are quite sure that it will not be necessary, so we do not see any problem in the fact that there are ships around," he said.

Bar Tal warned that should the Flotilla again reject an Israeli proposal to drop the humanitarian aid in another country, such as Greece or Cyprus, then the "responsibility" will fall on the organizers of the initiative.

In recent days, the Flotilla has reported having suffered several drone attacks against them, the launching of explosives, and interference in communications around its vessels.

Bar-Tal avoided confirming whether Israel were behind such attacks.

On Thursday, the members of the Flotilla reaffirmed their will to reach Gaza despite the "threats" and "attacks" from Israel.

They called on the international community to "increase the pressure" on their own governments and on Israel to "stop the genocide."

Regarding Spain and Italy sending ships to protect the Flotilla, organizers say it's "very positive" that both countries acted like this, but that it is "insufficient."

They instead want to see "real solutions" such as breaking relations with Israel.

"Those who need protection are the Palestinians," Kleoniki Alexopoulou of the steering committee stated.