LONDON

A Scottish activist aboard the Seulle, one of the vessels in the Global Sumud Flotilla carrying more than 500 activists to Gaza, recalled multiple drone attacks on the flotilla as it sailed off the coast of Crete, Greece.

Speaking to Anadolu via video link, James Hickey, a member of the UK delegation, said the group had departed from Porto Palo in Sicily before encountering drones in international waters.

“Some boats had a black noxious substance, smell of sulphur, dropped on the decks. Other boats experienced bright flashes like stun grenades,” Hickey said. “Some damage was inflicted, but fortunately none of our crew or participants were injured,” he added.

Calling the attacks “terrorist actions,” Hickey said the flotilla is delivering medical supplies and other aid, while also demonstrating solidarity with Palestinians. “We are only carrying aid and a message of love and solidarity for the people of Palestine. We should not be here. Our government should be doing this,” he said.

Organizers say the Global Sumud Flotilla is the largest such mission in nearly two decades.

Hickey, a lifelong supporter of Glasgow’s Celtic Football Club, framed the mission in historical and moral terms, drawing parallels between the British-Irish experience of oppression and the Palestinian struggle.

“We know how humanitarian activists who stand shoulder to shoulder with Palestinians are treated. We anticipate violence and extremism against ordinary people,” he said.

Israel, which has repeatedly warned it will block any attempt to breach the naval blockade of Gaza, renewed its threat Thursday, calling the territory a “combat operations zone.”

“Tel Aviv will not allow ships to enter a combat zone,” Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said on US social media company X.

Hickey described the flotilla as a non-political, non-religious humanitarian mission, comprising volunteers from 45 countries across six continents.

He said participants are motivated by outrage over what they call the ongoing “genocide, ethnic cleansing, man-made starvation and apartheid” in Gaza, and by frustration with governments that he said “continue to comply with the Zionist entity or participate in this genocide.”

The flotilla has faced multiple drone attacks. On Wednesday, organizers reported that nine ships experienced 12 explosions, without naming who was behind the attacks. Israel, which has repeatedly threatened to stop the flotilla, has remained silent.

Hickey emphasized the moral imperative behind his participation. “We are ordinary people from all walks of life who have come together to oppose this genocide and this fascist future for ourselves, for our children and our grandchildren,” he said.