Activist group says drone hit Gaza aid boat in Tunisia, authorities deny attack

An international activist group seeking to deliver aid to Gaza on a flotilla says one of its boats was hit by what it believes was a drone while docked in Tunisia.

Tunisian authorities denied a drone was involved and said they are investigating a fire in a life jacket aboard the boat.

The Global Sumud Flotilla said in a statement overnight that a vessel known as the “Family Boat”, travelling under a Portuguese flag, “was struck by a drone”, but that no-one aboard was hurt.

Footage posted on the group’s social media showed a flash of light landing on one of the boats and setting off what appears to be a fire.

The group, whose flotilla was scheduled to leave Tunisia on Wednesday, is expected to give a news conference in Tunis later about what happened.

It said the incident would not derail its mission to deliver aid to Gaza.

Movement

The flotilla is part of a broad movement seeking to deliver aid to Gaza by boat.

The Family Boat was carrying the most famous members of the flotilla, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau.

It is still unclear if they were on board during the reported attack.

Portuguese activist Miguel Duarte, who was aboard the vessel, said at a press conference in Tunis on Tuesday that he clearly saw a drone just a few metres above his head moments before an explosion.

“The drone stood a few seconds on top of a bunch of life jackets. and then dropped a bomb,” Mr Duarte said.

“The bomb exploded, and there was a big flame, there was a fire on board immediately. We picked up the fire extinguishers, we were able to fight the fire successfully, and everybody was safe, fortunately.”

“Steadfastness”

The Tunisian Interior Ministry said in a statement that reports about a drone attack were unfounded, and that specialised security units are investigating the results of a fire in a life jacket.

The Israeli military and Israeli government did not immediately respond to requests for comment

The flotilla — which activists call “Steadfastness” in Arabic — set sail from Barcelona last week hoping to transport food, water and medicine to Gaza in defiance of Israel’s blockade on the enclave’s maritime border.

The group had speculated about drones flying overhead on livestreams and social media.

Activists argue that the presence of doctors, artists, clergy and European politicians on board will help spotlight the blockade and Israel’s moves to enforce it.

Its voyage comes three months after a smaller activist flotilla crossed the Mediterranean with plans to deliver aid to Gaza.

An overland convoy travelling across North Africa also attempted to reach the border but was blocked by security forces aligned with Egypt in eastern Libya.

Israel has previously dismissed such efforts as publicity stunts, saying a blockade is necessary to prevent smuggling, particularly of weapons.

“Not only we continue our mission, we keep on going, but since that (attack) happened, thousands and thousands of people are now volunteering again to join our mission,” said activist Thiago Avila at Tuesday’s press conference.