Spain follows Italy in sending navy ship to aid Gaza flotilla

Spain has joined Italy in sending a ship to accompany the Gaza flotilla as the international community condemned an apparent drone attack by Israel on Wednesday morning.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Madrid would dispatch a navy ship to aid its citizens on board the flotilla on Thursday, a day after Italy did the same.

"I want to make it clear to the government of Israel that Spain will, of course, protect its nationals, and we will do so both diplomatically and politically," he added.

The vessel supporting the Global Sumud Flotilla will be the Furor P-46, a Spanish Navy high-seas patrol ship with a crew of 50 specialised sailors, according to reports.

Both the UN and the European Union warned against further attempts to attack the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla, which is attempting to provide aid to the besieged enclave. The European Commission said "no attacks, no drone strikes, no seizures or any use of force" would be acceptable.

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