This is the naval warship deployed by Spain to provide protection for a Greta Thunberg’s aid flotilla heading to Gaza.
The patrol ship from the Spanish Navy is accompanying the flotilla amid rising tensions in the eastern Mediterranean following alleged drone attacks against the aid vessels.
It follows a wave of international condemnation over the Israeli blockade of Gaza and repeated attacks on humanitarian missions in the region, and after international experts agreed that the actions being carried out by Benjamin Netanyahu’s government reach the threshold for genocide.
The aid convoy, organised by a coalition of European NGOs and peace groups, including famed Swedish activist Thunberg, is carrying essential medical supplies, food and water filtration equipment.
Thunberg branded the mission ‘a necessary act of civil resistance’ against what she described as ‘the systemic denial of human rights in Gaza.’
Spain’s intervention marks a bold step in what has largely been a hands-off stance from European governments when it comes to direct involvement in Gaza-bound humanitarian efforts.
By sending a naval escort, Madrid is signalling it won’t stand by while international aid is threatened at sea.
The patrol ship named Furor and believed to be the Meteoro-class Audaz, is equipped with surveillance radar, defensive weapons systems and a small helicopter deck.
While not a combat ship by NATO standards, it is more than capable of deterring harassment or unauthorised boarding attempts.
Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles defended the deployment, saying: ‘Our duty is to protect the lives of civilians engaged in humanitarian work. This is not an act of aggression, but one of responsibility.’
Israeli officials have so far issued no formal response to Spain’s naval escort.
However, previous flotillas attempting to break the blockade have been intercepted by Israeli forces, often with violent outcomes – including the 2010 Mavi Marmara raid, which left nine activists dead.
Thunberg said of the missiong: ‘The same systems that destroy ecosystems are the ones that uphold occupation, apartheid, and war. We must resist all of them.’
