Activists aboard a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, claimed on Monday that one of their boats was struck by a drone off Tunisia’s coast.
Tunisian officials, however, denied the account and said the blast likely came from inside the vessel.
The boat, nicknamed the Family Boat, was sailing under a Portuguese flag and carried members of the Global Sumud Flotilla’s steering committee.
The Incident
Footage shared on social media showed flames aboard the vessel as activists alleged it had been hit by a drone.
“A drone came right above it, released a bomb and it exploded and the boat was on fire. Everyone is okay,” activist Yasemin Acar said in a video.
She added the incident occurred in Tunisian waters and described it as an effort to derail the flotilla’s mission to deliver humanitarian supplies to Gaza.
The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) confirmed damage to the boat in a statement.
“The Family Boat … was struck by what is suspected to be a drone. All passengers and crew are safe,” the group said.
They vowed the mission to Gaza would continue, calling the incident an “act of aggression” aimed at intimidation.
Thunberg, who had earlier joined the flotilla in Barcelona, posted a video from Tunisia after the incident.
“My friends and I were not on the boat when it was bombed, but others were,” she said.
“This is yet another attack aimed at preventing us from reaching Gaza, breaking the siege and silencing those who stand in solidarity with Palestine.”
Despite the controversy, hundreds of people gathered at the port of Sidi Bou Said near Tunis to greet the activists.
Supporters waved Palestinian flags and cheered as the flotilla’s remaining boats docked.
Tunisian Denial
Tunisian National Guard officials dismissed claims of a drone strike.
“There was no drone detected,” a spokesperson told AFP.
Initial inspections indicated the explosion originated from inside the vessel, according to Tunisian authorities.
Israeli Context
Israel has maintained a naval blockade on Gaza since 2007, saying it is necessary to stop weapons shipments to Hamas.
Officials in Jerusalem have previously labeled Gaza flotilla activists “terrorist supporters” and warned they face arrest if they attempt to breach the blockade.
In June, Thunberg was deported from Israel after being detained on a separate flotilla boat stopped by the Israeli navy.
Activists at the time claimed drones sprayed irritant substances before Israeli forces boarded.
Israel denied excessive force and said the flotilla was a publicity stunt.
The Global Sumud Flotilla says it is carrying food, medicine, and water in an attempt to deliver aid directly to Gaza.
The group describes itself as a coalition from 44 countries working to “break the siege” by sea.
Organisers insist their mission is peaceful, though Israel argues such flotillas are politically motivated.
