Gaza Aid Flotilla Boat Struck in Tunisia Amid Rising Tensions
A dramatic incident has unfolded involving the Global Sumud Flotilla, an international convoy attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. According to the flotilla organizers, one of their main boats, the Family Boat , was struck by what appeared to be a drone while docked in the Tunisian port of Sidi Bou Said, just outside Tunis. The vessel, sailing under the Portuguese flag, had six people on board at the time, but fortunately, all of them were reported safe.
The Global Sumud Flotilla released video footage that seemed to show a flaming object hitting the boat’s deck. Miguel Duarte, a Portuguese activist who was on board, described the experience vividly. He said a drone hovered only a few meters above him before dropping an explosive device onto a pile of lifejackets. The device ignited a fire, which the crew managed to extinguish with onboard fire extinguishers. Duarte insisted that what he saw was unmistakably a drone, although Tunisian authorities rejected that claim, saying the fire had started on the vessel itself and was not caused by any attack.
Also Read:- FIFA introduces dynamic pricing for 2026 World Cup tickets
- Heathrow Terminal 4 Evacuated After CS Gas Incident
This disagreement has only added to the tension. Tunisia’s interior ministry stated there was “no basis in truth” to the reports of a drone strike. But others present at the port, including the UN special rapporteur for the Palestinian territories Francesca Albanese, warned that if confirmed, such an attack would represent not only an assault on the flotilla but also a direct violation of Tunisian sovereignty.
The boat in question had previously carried Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, though she was not aboard when the incident occurred. Thunberg has been traveling with the flotilla as part of a coalition determined to challenge Israel’s naval blockade of Gaza. The flotilla brings together activists and politicians from 44 different countries with the stated mission of delivering humanitarian supplies to the besieged territory.
Israel has enforced a blockade on Gaza since 2007, claiming it is necessary to prevent weapons from reaching Hamas. Critics argue that the blockade has created a humanitarian catastrophe, and the situation has only worsened since the current war began in October 2023. More than 64,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli military operations, according to Gaza’s health ministry, and famine conditions have taken hold in some areas.
This is not the first time aid ships have faced confrontation. Earlier this year, Israeli naval forces seized a British-flagged yacht carrying Greta Thunberg and other activists. In May, another aid vessel, the Conscience , was reportedly struck by drones in international waters near Malta.
Despite these dangers, flotilla organizers remain undeterred. Speaking in Tunis, one of the Tunisian organizers declared, “Our will is stronger, and we are more determined than ever to break the blockade.” The flotilla is still scheduled to depart Tunisia for Gaza, underscoring the activists’ commitment to their mission even in the face of fire and uncertainty.
Read More:
0 Comments