MADRID (Dispatches) -- Spain has announced plans to dispatch a ship to support the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), a significant maritime effort involving around 50 vessels aiming to break the Israeli siege of the Gaza Strip.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez confirmed that a maritime action vessel equipped with necessary resources would set sail from Cartagena, ready to assist the flotilla or carry out rescues if needed. 
The move was coordinated with Italy, with Spain’s defense ministry engaging with its Italian counterpart to explore a broader, multilateral response possibly involving countries like Ireland.
Despite their support, both Spain and Italy have emphasized that their vessels will not engage in confrontations should Israeli forces attempt to interfere with the flotilla. 
The caution stems from Israel’s history of aggressive actions against similar aid missions, most notably the deadly 2010 raid on a Turkish ship attempting to breach Gaza’s blockade.
The flotilla organizers recently reported that Israel threatened to block the fleet after it refused to comply with demands to dock and unload aid. 
They characterized these demands as part of the ongoing siege, intended not to facilitate humanitarian relief but to control, delay, and ultimately deny assistance to Gaza’s war-affected and starving population.
Organizers also highlighted an escalation in Israel’s hostile tactics, including explosions, drone swarms, and communication jamming targeting the flotilla’s vessels. These actions signal a heightened risk of further aggression against the over 500 civilian volunteers participating in the mission.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, which set off from Barcelona last month, is regarded as the largest maritime mission of its kind in decades. It includes delegations from at least 44 countries united in an effort to challenge what many human rights groups condemn as one of the world’s harshest and most inhumane blockades.
Spain’s support, alongside coordination with Italy and potentially other nations, marks an important act of solidarity with the Palestinian people and a firm stance against the ongoing siege of Gaza.