The Gaza-bound humanitarian 'Sumud' flotilla, attempting to break Israel's siege on the Palestinian enclave, warned on Tuesday that the extreme rhetoric coming from the Israeli government may be used to justify the deployment of violence against the activists.
Dozens of boats from Europe and North Africa are sailing thousands of kilometres across the Mediterranean as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla to break Israel's siege on Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid.
The Israeli government has deployed increasingly extreme language against the flotilla, alleging that the initiative was "organised by Hamas", which Israel is at war with in Gaza.
The foreign ministry has described it as a "jihadist initiative" and "terror flotilla" and on Monday vowed not to let it breach what it claims to be a "lawful naval blockade" on Gaza, but one condemned by the UN and rights groups.
Extremist National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir plans to designate the activists as "terrorists".
"Israel's rhetoric against the Global Sumud Flotilla sets the stage for further escalation. Painting a peaceful humanitarian mission as a 'breach of the law' is a pretext for violence against civilians acting lawfully to deliver aid," the flotilla said in a statement on Tuesday.
Unidentified alleged drones struck two boats in the flotilla in Tunisian waters earlier this month in separate attacks that activists blamed on Israel.
US Syria envoy Tom Barrack appeared to back up the flotilla's claim in an interview on Monday, listing Tunisia among the multiple countries recently attacked by Israel.
The Israeli government has not commented on the incidents, although supporters of Israel have claimed they were the result of misfired flares.
Activists have in recent days reported that several drones are following them across the Mediterranean.
The flotilla on Monday accused Israel of mounting an "escalating campaign to malign, discredit, and criminalise" its mission.
"Israel's attempt to brand this mission as illegitimate is an effort to rewrite international law and conceal its own war crimes. This world must reject these lies, defend humanitarian action, protect the 500+ volunteers sailing to break the siege and act decisively to end the genocide in Gaza," it said on Monday.
The Global Sumud Flotilla is the third and largest attempt to break Israel's siege this year. Two attempts made in June and July by Madleen and Handala were intercepted by Israeli forces, who detained and deported the activists.
Hundreds of activists from more than 40 countries are participating in the effort.
Israel has heavily restricted food and aid from entering Gaza for almost two years, triggering a famine across the entire territory and leaving hundreds of thousands of people facing starvation.
The blockade has caused critical shortages of medical supplies, baby formula and other essential goods. Aid agencies have accused Israel of using starvation as a weapon of war.
At least 440 people have died of malnutrition since 7 October, including 162 children, according to the latest figures from the Gaza-based health ministry.