Activists' Flotilla Under Fire

In an alarming escalation, the Global Sumud Flotilla—a group dedicated to delivering aid to Gaza—reported that one of its boats was attacked by a drone while docked in Tunisia. Thankfully, all six passengers, including well-known climate activist Greta Thunberg, were unharmed during the dramatic incident.

Eyewitness Accounts

Miguel Duarte, a crew member aboard the boat, shared a harrowing account. "I was on the deck when I noticed a drone hovering just above us. Moments later, it moved over the life jackets and dropped what we now believe was a bomb," he detailed at a press conference.

According to Duarte, the explosion ignited a fierce fire on board, but the crew managed to extinguish it before any serious injuries occurred.

Contradictory Statements from Authorities

Initial responses from Tunisia’s National Guard and Interior Ministry were conflicting. They claimed that the fire was accidentally caused by a life jacket igniting, dismissing the drone attack as a mere fabrication.

However, after the Global Sumud Flotilla released security footage of the event, the Tunisian authorities announced the formation of a special committee to investigate the claims, highlighting the serious nature of the situation.

A History of Conflict

Israel’s maritime blockade of Gaza has been a contentious topic, with any aid flotilla unauthorized to dock. Previous attempts to breach this blockade have ended in clashes, including a deadly raid in 2010 that resulted in multiple activist deaths.

Israeli officials have often referred to these flotillas as publicity stunts, asserting that the blockade is vital for preventing smuggling into the territory controlled by Hamas, which is designated as a terrorist organization by both the U.S. and Israel.

Future of the Flotilla

As tensions rise and the investigation unfolds, the Global Sumud Flotilla remains committed to its mission of delivering humanitarian aid and raising awareness about Gaza’s plight. The coming days will reveal whether further progress can be made or if this incident will escalate the ongoing conflict.

Stay tuned as we continue to follow this developing story.