![Pro-Palestinian activists are hoping to break the Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip to deliver humanitarian aid [FILE: September 9, 2025]Image: Str/AP Photo](https://theafricanportal.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/flotila.jpg)
BERLIN, Sept 25 (The African Portal) – Spain has said it will send a warship to protect a Gaza aid flotilla attempting to break the Israeli blockade of the territory.
The move comes a day after Italy deployed a naval vessel for potential rescue operations, after activists on board the flotilla said they had been targeted by Israeli drones.
Meanwhile, Palestinian Authority Mahmoud Abbas is set to address the UN General Assembly via pre-recorded video, after he and other members of the delegation were denied entry visas into the United States.
We will also be following developments on the ground in Gaza, where at least 17 people were killed Thursday amid Israel’s ongoing military campaign.
Spain to send warship to protect Gaza aid flotilla
In addition to Italy, Spain has said it is sending a naval ship to protect the boats in the Global Sumud Flotilla, which aims to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip.
The group reported multiple incidents of drones dropping flares and flash bombs on or near the convoy’s 51 boats.
Italy’s right-wing government has not endorsed the activists in the flotilla and urged them not to try to breach Israel’s blockade of Gaza, which predates the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks and Israel’s ensuing military campaign in the Palestinian territory.
However, Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto called attempts to bring food and medicine to hundreds of thousands of people facing malnourishment and disease “an act of humanity” and “not a provocation.”
Italy announced on Thursday it would send an additional naval vessel to protect the flotilla, following reports of drone attacks on the vessels as they left Greece en route toward Gaza.
Two previous attempts to breach the Israeli blockade failed over the summer when the Israeli Navy intercepted the boats and deported their occupants. Israel has imposed its land, sea and air blockade on Gaza since 2007, when the militant group Hamas took over the Palestinian strip.
Abbas to give video address to the UN General Assembly
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is set to speak at the morning session of the UN General Assembly on Thursday.
Abbas was due to be in New York alongside an entire Palestinian delegation, but they were refused US visas by President Donald Trump’s administration. Abbas has instead sent a pre-recorded video of his speech.
His talk comes just a few days after several Western nations formally recognized Palestinian statehood.
In the afternoon session, European Council President Antonio Costa will give an address, as will Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever. Belgium is one of six European countries that recognized Palestinian statehood at a Saudi-French-led conference at the UN earlier this week.
Credit: DW
