(MENAFN) Antonio Tajani has requested urgent clarification from Israel following reports that naval forces used force during the interception of a humanitarian flotilla heading toward Gaza.

The incident involved the Global Sumud Flotilla, which was attempting to reach the Gaza Strip when it was intercepted at sea. According to Italy’s Foreign Ministry, 27 Italian nationals aboard the vessels were detained, and the boats were expected to be transported to the port of Ashdod.

Italian officials, including those from the Foreign Ministry known as the Farnesina, said they are seeking immediate confirmation of what occurred during the interception, particularly after claims emerged that projectiles such as rubber bullets may have been used against the vessels.

Tajani called for “an urgent verification of the use of force” amid conflicting accounts from different sources regarding the nature of the Israeli response.

According to reports, activist testimonies suggested that Israeli naval units fired on or struck multiple boats involved in the mission, including a vessel flying the Italian flag. One spokesperson, Maria Elena Delia, stated: “The Israeli navy ships are firing projectiles, the type of which we don't know; we don't know if they're real or rubber.”

The flotilla, which includes international participants, was part of an effort to reach Gaza by sea when it was intercepted by Israeli forces, according to reports.

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