Guido Crosetto

Italy and Spain have deployed naval ships to the Mediterranean to protect the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), a civilian aid mission bound for Gaza, after the convoy came under drone attacks in international waters.

Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto told parliament Thursday that a second ship was being dispatched, following Rome’s earlier decision to send a frigate in response to overnight assaults. “We have sent one ship and another is on its way, ready for any eventuality,” he said.

Spain confirmed its participation, with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announcing in New York that a Spanish naval vessel would sail from …