WARSAW

A Polish lawmaker aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla heading to Gaza described drone attacks on the convoy this week as “psychological warfare,” after vessels were targeted overnight with stink bombs, projectiles and electronic jamming.

Franciszek Sterczewski of the ruling Civic Coalition (PO) party told TVP World, the English-language service of Polish state television, on Thursday that Wednesday’s attacks aimed to intimidate the civilian mission. Sterczewski is sailing on a Polish-flagged humanitarian aid ship within the flotilla.

Italian spokesperson Maria Elena Delia said Italian, British and Polish boats were struck. “It’s like an attack on three countries. This is a very serious incident that sets a precedent. It was intended to psychologically exhaust those on board at night, in the dark, on the open sea. This is a criminal act against the civilian flotilla,” she told TVP World.

Sterczewski posted on X: “A drone has just attacked the Polish-flagged humanitarian aid ship on which I am sailing. Everyone is safe, but one sail has been damaged. I call on the Polish government to protect the flotilla and work to end the genocide in Gaza. You must act now!”

Polish co-organizers said in a statement that “on the night of September 23-24, further attacks were carried out in Greek waters on the Sumud Global Flotilla.”

“At least 13 explosions were recorded, and unidentified explosives were dropped on at least 10 boats. The flotilla ships include Sterczewski, Omar Faris, Nina Ptak, and Ewa Jasiewicz. No one was physically injured. The Global Sumud Flotilla appeals for the safe delivery of humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza, and has repeatedly requested the protection of the Polish delegation from Minister (of Foreign Affairs) Radoslaw Sikorski,” the statement said.

Ewa Jasiewicz, with the Polish-Palestinian justice initiative Kaktus, told TVP World the Israeli government was “clearly” behind the attack. Jasiewicz said one person was “very lightly injured.”

The Polish delegation has urged Warsaw to impose a total arms embargo on Israel and arrest Israeli citizens entering Poland suspected of taking part in or supporting war crimes in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Poland’s Foreign Ministry said Wednesday that it “is not able to assist [its] citizens in all circumstances.”