The Global Sumud Flotilla for Gaza (GSF) reported on Tuesday that one of its primary vessels had been struck by a drone while in Tunisian waters. However, all six individuals aboard, including passengers and crew members, were unharmed.
However, the spokesperson for Tunisia’s National Guard, denied reports of a drone attack in a statement to Mosaique FM radio, asserting that the explosion had originated inside the vessel itself.
The Portuguese-flagged boat suffered damage from the fire on its main deck and below-deck storage. It was carrying members of the flotilla’s steering committee, according to the GSF’s statement.
The flotilla is an international movement working to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, with support from civilian boats backed by delegations from 44 countries, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and Portuguese politician Mariana Mortagua.
Crowds of people gathered outside Tunisia’s Sidi Bou Said port after the incident, where the flotilla boats were docked. Witnesses reported that demonstrators waved Palestinian flags and chanted “Free Palestine.”
The GSF has announced that an investigation into the drone strike is underway, and the findings will be shared once available, reports agencies.
“Acts of aggression aimed at intimidating and derailing our mission will not deter us. Our peaceful mission to break the siege on Gaza and stand in solidarity with its people continues with determination and resolve,” said the GSF in a statement.
Israel has enforced a naval blockade on Gaza since Hamas seized control of the region in 2007, citing the need to prevent weapons from reaching the militant group.
The blockade has persisted through multiple conflicts, including the ongoing war that began in October 2023 when Israel launched retaliatory military offensive in response to Hamas’ attack that killed 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostages.
Israel’s military response has resulted in over 64,000 Palestinian deaths, as reported by Gaza’s health ministry. Meanwhile, a global hunger monitor has noted that part of Gaza is currently experiencing famine.
In March, Israel sealed Gaza off from land access for three months, claiming that Hamas was redirecting aid. In June, Israeli naval forces intercepted a British-flagged yacht carrying Thunberg and others, dismissing the aid mission as a propaganda stunt supporting Hamas.
