The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), currently en route to Gaza, claimed on Tuesday that one of its main vessels, the Family Boat, was struck by a drone while anchored off Tunisia’s coast. Tunisian officials, however, rejected the allegation, attributing the fire onboard to an accident.
Conflicting Accounts
In a statement, the flotilla said the boat was hit by an aerial object in Tunisian waters near Sidi Bou Said, igniting a blaze. Shared footage appeared to show something dropping onto the vessel from above before a flash of fire broke out.
“All passengers and crew are safe,” the GSF emphasized, adding that an investigation was underway and that its mission to challenge Gaza’s blockade would continue.
But Tunisia’s Interior Ministry dismissed the drone strike claim, saying local security teams inspected the vessel and found the fire had been caused by a life jacket igniting. Authorities reported no major damage beyond burnt equipment.
Activists Onboard
The Family Boat carries several activists who were previously part of another flotilla vessel seized by Israeli forces in June. Among them are Greta Thunberg, Brazilian activist Thiago Avila, Turkish activist Suayb Ordu, and Yasemin Acar, who described the fire in a video message: “A drone came right above it, released a bomb, and it exploded.”
The flotilla, made up of over 50 vessels, includes doctors, journalists, and campaigners from across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Around 150 participants are involved, with plans to depart Tunisia for Gaza on Wednesday.
Mission Context
The Global Sumud Flotilla — “sumud” meaning steadfastness in Arabic — set sail from Barcelona and Genoa in late August. Its goal is to deliver humanitarian aid and highlight the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where famine conditions were confirmed last month by the UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC).
Israel’s blockade has left Gaza isolated for years, and the ongoing military campaign — now in its 700th day — has killed more than 64,500 Palestinians, according to local authorities. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants against Israeli leaders for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Despite disputes over what caused the blaze, flotilla organizers insist they remain determined: “Acts of aggression aimed at intimidating our mission will not deter us.”