Greta Thunberg On Gaza Flotilla Boat Allegedly Struck By Drone, Tunisia Disputes Reports
The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), an international humanitarian mission aimed at delivering relief supplies to Gaza, reported on Tuesday that its flagship vessel was damaged in what it described as a suspected drone attack while sailing in Tunisian waters.
According to flotilla organisers, the ship The Family, sailing under the Portuguese flag, sustained fire damage on its main deck as well as in storage compartments below. Fortunately, all six crew members and passengers onboard escaped unharmed.
The GSF said the vessel was preparing to lead a multi-national convoy carrying activists and humanitarian goods in an attempt to challenge Israel’s long-standing maritime blockade of Gaza.
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Among those on the lead ship were steering committee members German human rights advocate Yasemin Acar, Brazilian socio-environmentalist Thiago Ávila, and Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg.
In a strongly worded statement, the organisers directly accused Israel of orchestrating the attack. “There is no other authority that would do such an attack, such a crime, except the Israeli authorities. They have been committing genocide for the past 22 months, and they are willing to attack a peaceful, non-violent flotilla,” the GSF declared.
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At the port where the damaged vessel returned, UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese — who has been vocal in her criticism of Israeli policies — confirmed she was coordinating with local officials and flotilla representatives. Albanese also shared footage reportedly recorded onboard The Family, in which the sound of explosions can be heard.
However, Tunisia’s National Guard dismissed claims of a drone strike, telling local broadcaster Mosaique FM that “reports of drone activity in the area have no basis in truth.” The authorities maintained that no aerial presence was detected in Tunisian waters at the time of the incident.
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The Global Sumud Flotilla describes itself as a non-violent civilian initiative backed by delegations from 44 countries. Its stated mission is to deliver humanitarian supplies to Palestinians in Gaza by sea, bypassing restrictions imposed under the blockade.
