Reports have emerged that a drone strike targeted Greta Thunberg’s flotilla, as stated by the Global Sumud Flotilla for Gaza.
The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) disclosed that one of their 20 vessels was hit by a strike on Monday night, leading to a fire onboard.
A statement issued by the GSF reads: “The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) confirms that one of the main boats, known as the ‘Family Boat’ – that was carrying GSF Steering Committee members, was struck by a drone in Tunisian waters.
“The boat is sailing under the Portuguese flag and all six passengers and crew are safe. Fire damage was caused to the main deck and below deck storage. An investigation is currently underway and when more information is available it will be released immediately.
“Acts of aggression aimed at intimidating and derailing our mission will not deter us. Our peaceful mission to break the siege on Gaza and stand in solidarity with its people continues with determination and resolve.”
The Global Sumud Flotilla for Gaza (GSF) consists of vessels manned by pro-Palestinian activists from 44 countries, with the aim of breaking Israel’s naval blockade on the Gaza Strip.
The GSF released footage on X, detailing: “Footage from another boat of our Flotilla shows the exact moment the Family Boat was struck from above.”
The video reveals an explosion occurring above the boat at approximately half past midnight on September 9.
Journalist and activist Yusuf Omar, believed to be onboard, shared on social media: “I was sleeping when I heard this explosion,”
“A big explosion happened right next to our diesel tank. The neighbouring boats spotted a drone coming in.
“They said it flew above basically where I was sleeping, and then it went to the front and detonated.”
Despite these claims, Tunisian authorities have refuted the reports, stating that the alleged drone attack ‘had no basis of truth’ and suggested that the explosion originated from within the vessel, possibly due to a cigarette.
The Tunisian national guard has also reported that ‘no drones have been detected’.
Previously in June, Thunberg attempted to travel to the Gaza Strip on a boat named Madleen to deliver aid to Palestinians but was stopped by military forces.
This incident led to the release of a pre-recorded video featuring Thunberg. In it, she stated: “My name is Greta Thunberg and I am from Sweden.
“If you see this video we have been intercepted and kidnapped in international waters by the Israeli occupational forces — or forces that support Israel.
“I urge all my friends, family and comrades to put pressure on the Swedish government to release me and the others as soon as possible.”
The Israel foreign ministry responded on Twitter, saying: “While Greta and others attempted to stage a media provocation whose sole purpose was to gain publicity – and which included less than a single truckload of aid – more than 1,200 aid trucks have entered Gaza from Israel within the past two weeks, and in addition, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has distributed close to 11 million meals directly to civilians in Gaza.
“There are ways to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip – they do not involve Instagram selfies.
“The tiny amount of aid that was on the yacht and not consumed by the ‘celebrities’ will be transferred to Gaza through real humanitarian channels.”