Flight tracking data shows Turkish drones circling an international aid flotilla heading for Gaza.
Watch | Turkey delivers food and medical aid to the Global Sumud Flotilla as it continues its journey toward Gaza. pic.twitter.com/MWNdErzKQy
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) September 29, 2025
Turkey has joined Spain, Italy and Greece in monitoring the flotilla, which was sailing east across the Mediterranean Sea on Monday despite warnings from Israel to stop the mission.
Read more: Muslim states join European powers in backing Trump Gaza plan
The Global Sumud Flotilla is carrying parliamentarians, lawyers and activists including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg.
They have vowed to breach an Israeli naval blockade around the embattled Gaza Strip, where famine has taken hold in some parts, according to a global hunger monitor.
Türkiye sent two frigates to accompany the Global Sumud Flotilla and evacuated passengers from a Gaza-bound aid vessel taking on water to rescue them pic.twitter.com/MDoSHvCY92
— TRT World (@trtworld) September 29, 2025
Three long-endurance drones originating from a Turkish airbase have been circling over the flotilla for three days.
Read more: Trump Unveils 20-Point Plan to End Israel-Hamas War in Gaza
Reuters was unable to confirm the reason for the drone flights.
Turkey’s foreign and defense ministries and intelligence agency did not respond to requests for comment.
The flotilla was still hundreds of miles off the Gaza coastline on Monday.
But it was approaching an area where other flotillas have previously been intercepted, people on board said.
Last week, a drone attack damaged some of its boats off Greece.
Earlier in the month, other drone strikes were reported while some boats were docked in Tunisia.
Israel did not comment but it has previously said it will use any means to prevent the flotilla from reaching Gaza.
It argues that its naval blockade is legal as it battles Hamas militants in the coastal enclave.
Italy and Spain have deployed navy ships to accompany the flotilla in case of rescue or humanitarian needs, but have said they will not engage militarily.