Tunisia Rejects Claims of Drone Attack on Greta Thunberg's Gaza Flotilla

Sat Sep 13 2025 06:42:31 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Tunisian authorities have denied reports of a drone strike against the Global Sumud Flotilla, which includes activist Greta Thunberg, asserting claims of an attack are unsubstantiated.

The Tunisian government has dismissed allegations that a drone attacked the Global Sumud Flotilla’s vessel while anchored off the coast of Sidi Bou Said. Organizers claimed that an incendiary device caused a fire on the boat, while Tunisian officials stated no evidence of a drone was found. The flotilla, set up to send humanitarian aid to Gaza, continues to face challenges amidst escalating tensions in the region.

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, Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), stated that the Portuguese-flagged vessel had been struck by a drone while anchored outside the port of Sidi Bou Said in Tunisia. They affirmed that all six passengers and crew were safe.

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

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

The GSF announced that their Family boat had been struck in Tunisian waters, resulting in damage to the main deck.

In a series of videos shared on their Instagram account, GSF representatives indicated an incendiary device was responsible for the fire onboard the vessel, which the crew successfully extinguished.

Tunisia's National Guard spokesman told Mosaique FM radio that reports of a drone attack on the flotilla have no basis in truth, according to Reuters. He added that an initial inspection suggested the explosion originated from inside the vessel.

Francesca Albanese, a UN Human Rights Council special rapporteur and a Tunisian resident who appeared in videos shared by the GSF, stated that if an attack could be confirmed, it would represent an assault and aggression against Tunisia, and Tunisian sovereignty. She mentioned she was at Sidi Bou Said port working to confirm the facts with local authorities.

Albanese has been an outspoken critic of Israel's military actions in Gaza and has faced sanctions from the U.S., a move supported by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The flotilla's mission aims to break Israel's illegal siege on Gaza, but organizers have faced numerous setbacks. In June, Israeli forces boarded a boat carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, detaining twelve activists onboard, including Thunberg.

Israeli authorities claim these flotilla attempts provide little humanitarian assistance and often characterize them as publicity stunts. Previously, allegations of drone attacks on aid ships heading for Gaza have arisen; for instance, the Freedom Flotilla accused a drone strike off the coast of Malta in May.

In a recent UN report, it was stated that Gaza is experiencing famine, a condition that the UN's humanitarian chief attributed to systematic Israeli obstruction of aid.

In March, Israel implemented a blockade that severely restricted supplies entering Gaza, which it later amended under international pressure.

Historically, confrontations with aid ships attempting to reach Gaza have occurred, including a notable incident in 2010 where Israeli commandos killed ten people onboard the Turkish ship Mavi Marmara.

Current conflicts following the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, have led to significant casualties in Gaza, with at least 64,522 deaths reported by the Hamas-run health ministry.