Tunisian Authorities Refute Claims of Drone Attack on Gaza Aid Flotilla

Mon Sep 15 2025 13:12:05 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Tunisian officials deny allegations of a drone attack on a humanitarian flotilla carrying Greta Thunberg and pro-Palestinian activists. The flotilla, which aims to deliver aid to Gaza, reported an incident while docked near Sidi Bou Said.

Authorities in Tunisia have dismissed claims that a humanitarian aid vessel carrying Greta Thunberg and pro-Palestinian activists was hit by a drone. The Global Sumud Flotilla reported that the vessel, anchored off Sidi Bou Said, suffered damage due to what they described as a drone strike. However, Tunisian officials say no such attack was detected and that investigations are ongoing. The flotilla aims to breach the blockade imposed on Gaza, which they argue complicates humanitarian efforts amidst allegations of previous drone attacks on aid ships.

Tunisian authorities have denied claims that one of the Gaza-bound vessels carrying aid and pro-Palestinian activists, including Greta Thunberg, was attacked by a drone.

The organizers of the flotilla, the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), said that the Portuguese-flagged vessel had been struck by a drone while anchored outside the port of Sidi Bou Said in Tunisia. All six passengers and crew were safe, they added.

A spokesperson for Tunisia's national guard told the Agence France-Presse news agency that no drone had been detected and the investigation is ongoing.

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

The GSF reported their Family boat was struck in Tunisian waters, and that fire had damaged the main deck. Spokespeople for the GSF suggested an incendiary device caused a fire onboard the vessel, which the crew managed to extinguish.

Tunisia's National Guard spokesman asserted that the reports of a drone attack on the flotilla have no basis in truth, as initial inspections indicated the explosion may have originated from inside the vessel.

Francesca Albanese, a special rapporteur for the UN Human Rights Council, indicated that if an attack was confirmed, it would be an assault and aggression against Tunisia, and Tunisian sovereignty. Albanese, a notable critic of Israel's actions in Gaza, has been engaged in discussions with local authorities in pursuit of clarity.

The flotilla's mission to break Israel's illegal siege on Gaza has faced numerous challenges. For instance, in June, Israeli forces boarded a vessel carrying humanitarian supplies to Gaza and detained twelve activists, including Thunberg, escorting them to the port of Ashdod before deporting them.

Previously, allegations of drone incidents involving aid ships bound for Gaza have arisen; in May, the Freedom Flotilla claimed that its ship The Conscience was struck by a drone off Malta.

A recent report confirmed that Gaza is facing famine conditions, which many attribute to Israel's obstruction of aid. These actions have faced heavy criticism and denial from Israeli officials.

The historical context of such flotillas includes the 2010 Israeli raid resulting in fatalities when a humanitarian ship attempted to aid Gaza.

Amidst ongoing conflict following the October 7 Hamas-led assault that triggered Israeli military operations, reports indicate significant casualties have occurred in Gaza since then, raising urgent calls for humanitarian intervention.