Drone Allegedly Strikes Gaza Aid Flotilla, Claims of Safety from Organizers

Tue Sep 30 2025 11:05:37 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

The Global Sumud Flotilla, which includes notable activist Greta Thunberg, claims a drone strike hit one of their vessels carrying aid to Gaza, sparking controversy and conflicting reports from Tunisian authorities.

The Global Sumud Flotilla announced that their Portuguese-flagged vessel was struck by a drone while en route to aid Gaza. Organizers say all crew and passengers are safe, while Tunisian authorities dispute this claim, suggesting the incident originated within the vessel. The flotilla aims to break the Israeli blockade on Gaza, amid ongoing tensions regarding humanitarian access to the region.

One of the Gaza-bound vessels carrying aid and pro-Palestinian activists including Greta Thunberg was struck by a drone, the flotilla organisers have claimed.

Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) posted footage on Instagram that appeared to show the Portuguese-flagged vessel being hit by an object, stating that all six passengers and crew were safe after the incident outside the Tunisian port of Sidi Bou Said.

Tunisian authorities, however, quoted by Reuters, stated that reports of a drone involvement 'had no basis in truth,' adding that an initial inspection indicated the explosion stemmed from inside the vessel.

The humanitarian aid flotilla set sail from Barcelona last week and arrived in Tunisia on Sunday.

The GSF reported that their 'Family boat' was struck in Tunisian waters, causing fire damage on the main deck. Videos shared on Instagram suggested an 'incendiary device' was responsible for the fire onboard, which the crew managed to extinguish.

A spokesman for the Tunisian national guard specified to AFP that 'no drone' had been detected and that investigations were ongoing. BBC Verify has authenticated several videos of the alleged strike against the 'Family' vessel off Tunisia's coast.

David Heathcote, Head of Intelligence at McKenzie Intelligence Services, remarked that footage suggested the object struck the ship from above, implying a drone may have been used to deliver the object. Shedding doubt on Tunisian authorities' statements, Heathcote stated the visual evidence contradicts their version.

Francesca Albanese, a UN Human Rights Council special rapporteur residing in Tunisia and a critic of Israel's military actions in Gaza, expressed concerns over the incident and was on-site seeking clarification with local authorities.

The flotilla's mission aims to challenge Israel's blockade of Gaza, though it has faced numerous challenges. Past attempts have led to the detainment and deportation of activists, including Thunberg. Additionally, similar allegations of drone attacks on aid ships have surfaced in the past.

Recent reports by UN bodies confirmed humanitarian crises in Gaza due to access restrictions, with Israeli officials rejecting these claims.