TUNIS, (The Palestinian Information Center)A boat belonging to the Global Sumud (Steadfastness) Flotilla was attacked by a drone off the coast of Tunisia early Tuesday, sparking a fire but causing no injuries, according to flotilla organizers.
Thiago Ávila, a member of the flotilla’s steering committee, said the vessel “Family” was struck by an incendiary drone near Tunisian waters. Several members of the flotilla team were on board but escaped unharmed, he told Al Jazeera.
The flotilla’s media committee released video footage it said captured the moment the “Family” was targeted. Flotilla spokesperson Saif Abu Kishk confirmed the incident but insisted the mission to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza would continue.
“What happened to the ship in Tunisia is under security investigation now, and our preparations are ongoing, we will not change our destination”, the ‘Global Sumud Flotilla’ heading to Gaza said.
The boat had been scheduled to depart later Tuesday from the port of Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia, as part of the international initiative to challenge Israel’s 18-year blockade of the besieged Palestinian territory. Tunisian authorities quickly contained the fire, confirming there were no casualties.
UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, wrote on X that “the most likely scenario is that the boat was attacked by a drone,” and warned that two other flotilla vessels en route to Tunisia now require urgent protection.
Reuters, citing flotilla officials, reported that the targeted vessel was carrying members of the flotilla’s steering committee. Sources within the initiative accused Israel of orchestrating the attack in an effort to derail the mission.
The Global Sumud Flotilla is part of a long-running international campaign to break the blockade imposed on Gaza, where Palestinians continue to endure what human rights groups describe as genocide carried out by Israeli occupation forces.
