Benedetta Scuderi, an Italian member of the European Parliament for the leftist Greens-European Free Alliance group who has joined the flotilla, told Italian public radio RAI that drones had dropped stun grenades.

Well this is why probably. Can’t let one of your MPs get attacked, bit of a prestige issue when you just let that happen. Other quotes seem to go in that direction at least:

Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said in a statement the sea convoy had been targeted by “currently unidentified perpetrators”. He expressed the “strongest condemnation” of the incident.

He added the Italian multi-purpose frigate Fasan, previously sailing north of Crete, was “already on route” towards the flotilla “for possible rescue operations.”

An Italian official said the navy had been mobilised primarily to help Italians on board.

Note how they specifically avoid saying the boat is there to protect the flotilla.