UK participants taking part in the Global Sumud Flotilla have spoken out after a series of reported drone attacks.
Overnight on Tuesday, activists said "multiple drones" were spotted hovering above the flotilla, as "unidentified objects" were dropped and communications systems were jammed.
Up to 13 explosions were heard throughout the night, with the drones appearing to target the main sails of the smaller sailing boats.
There were no reported injuries, and the flotilla is continuing on its way to Gaza, which it expects to reach within a week.
There are 13 UK civilians taking part in the Global Sumud Flotilla, while The National understands at least one of the boats which was subject to the reported attacks was sailing under a British flag.
Despite this, the UK Government has remained silent. The National has reached out to the Foreign Office for comment multiple times but has received no response.
Meanwhile, the Italian government has sent a navy ship to assist the flotilla in "possible rescue operations".
The multi-purpose frigate Fasan was previously sailing north of Crete, and has been mobilised primarily to help the Italian civilians taking part in the mission.
Glasgow activist James Hickey is currently onboard the Seulle, which was not subject to attacks.
Speaking to The National, he said: "Last night, Tuesday September 23, our flotilla was attacked by a number of drones.
"The attacks began with a couple of our boats having a black noxious substance dropped on top of the decks. The substance smelled of sulphur. This was around 10.30pm in the evening.
"This attack was then followed by multiple explosions above boats. In the distance, we saw several bright flashes and heard several explosions going off.
"Up to 12 boats, possibly 13 boats, were targeted in these attacks."
Hickey said while there was some damage to the boats, all the crew and participants were uninjured.
He continued: "These attacks are to intimidate our flotilla from carrying out our mission to deliver necessary, essential, urgent humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza, as well as a message of love and support.
"We call on our governments and our media and people around the world to make as much noise as possible, and show their outrage at this flagrant violation of international law.
"We will continue, we will sail to Gaza with our aid."
Meanwhile, another UK activist, social media influencer Sarah Wilkinson, condemned the "full blown attack in international waters".
"We had one drone about 12 feet away from my head, and we all ducked, and it literally passed through the ship and hit the ship adjacent to us.
"They attempted to take down the masts with these explosive combat drones - the impact of them, they could blow your head off if you got in the way, they literally explode on impact."
Wilkinson added: "Had one of those drones hit the hull of a boat it would have sunk. It was pitch black and it went on all night. We were literally terrorised by explosions and drones just flying at us from all angles."
Meanwhile, the Scottish Greens called the reported attacks an "act of terror", as the party called on the UK Government to take similar action to Italy and protect the flotilla. .
Patrick Harvie MSP, the party's external affairs spokesperson, said: “These acts of terror on the seas are an outrage, and could easily result in serious injury or death.
"If these attacks are being carried out by Israeli forces, or on their behalf, then the response from the international community has to be to isolate and sanction them and to finally hold them accountable.
“The Italian navy has said that they will work to secure the safety of the flotilla and, with UK citizens on board, the UK must do the same."
Harvie continued: “It should not be down to small groups of committed campaigners to risk their lives to ensure Palestinians are able to access the most basic human rights of food, water and medical supplies. The fact that Israel has been allowed to blockade basic aid and starve Palestinians has been a terrible failure of the international community.
“The UK Government has just formally recognised a Palestinian state, but those words have to be backed up with actions. This is the first test of that commitment.
“What Israeli forces are inflicting against Palestine is genocide. There is a responsibility on all governments to stand up to Israel, stop all funding and support for Netanyahu’s apartheid regime, and ensure urgent humanitarian aid is delivered to the people of Gaza.”
The UK Government has been contacted for comment.
