Spanish media quoted Defense Ministry sources as saying that the military ship's mission "is not to escort the fleet, but rather to intervene only in humanitarian or rescue situations."
The Spanish Navy's operational ship "Foror" left the port on Thursday night, carrying 52 soldiers, eight medical personnel, a helicopter, and a vehicle.
The official Spanish news agency reported that the ship is capable of participating in maritime surveillance operations, in addition to humanitarian aid, peacekeeping, anti-drug, and immigration control missions.
Last Wednesday, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told reporters following his participation in the UN General Assembly session that "a fully equipped naval operations ship will depart tomorrow (Thursday) from Cartagena to assist the Global Resilience Flotilla and conduct a rescue operation if needed."
For days, approximately 50 ships as part of the "Resilience Fleet" have been sailing toward the Gaza Strip, the first time this number has been seen. These ships are loaded with humanitarian aid, particularly medical supplies, and carry more than 500 civilian activists.
The Steadfastness Flotilla announced on Wednesday that 12 explosions had occurred on nine of its ships, as a result of drone attacks. It did not disclose the timing of these attacks or who was responsible. Meanwhile, Israel, which has repeatedly threatened to prevent the flotilla from reaching Gaza, remains silent.
Following these attacks, the Italian Defense Minister strongly condemned the attack and sent a second warship to the area to protect its citizens.
With American support, Israel has been committing genocide in Gaza since October 7, 2023, leaving 65,549 martyrs and 167,518 injured, most of them children and women, and a famine that has claimed the lives of 442 Palestinians, including 147 children.
