Aid convoy for Gaza reports drone attack on their ship at Tunisian harbor

Aid vessel in Gaza convoy reports drone strike at Tunisian port

The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) has accused Israeli forces of attacking one of its main vessels, the "Family Boat," in the port of Sidi Bou Said in Tunisia on Monday night. The incident occurred as the flotilla, carrying aid for the besieged enclave of Gaza, sails across the Mediterranean.

Miguel Duarte, a Portuguese activist on board the "Family Boat," described hearing a drone buzzing overhead late on Monday evening. He went on to say that he saw a drone hovering about three or four meters above his head on Tuesday. A video published by GSF shows an incendiary object falling from the sky and exploding on impact with the "Family Boat," causing fire damage to its main deck and below-deck storage.

Israel has been tight-lipped about incidents involving aid ships bound for Gaza in the past. In June, a yacht carrying activists, including Greta Thunberg, was intercepted off the coast of Gaza, which Israel dismissed as a "selfie yacht" carrying minimal aid. The Israeli military authority stated that the attack on the "Family Boat" was a preemptive security measure against potential threats.

However, the Tunisian National Guard denies an attack on the "Family Boat," stating that a fire broke out on the vessel from a lighter or a cigarette butt. Miguel Duarte, however, stated that another person came onto the deck to see a drone, which then moved forward and dropped an incendiary object, causing a fire on board.

The "Family Boat" is one of around 50 vessels in the GSF flotilla attempting to break Israel's naval blockade and carry aid into Gaza. The flotilla includes Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and Irish actor Liam Cunningham. Despite acts of aggression, the flotilla's mission to deliver aid to Gaza remains undeterred, according to a statement.

The flotilla left Barcelona last week and plans to sail across the Mediterranean to the besieged enclave. The "Family Boat" encountered an incident in international waters off the coast of Malta in May, where a fire was reported and organizers claimed an Israeli drone attack. CNN has requested comment from the Israeli military regarding the incident in Tunisia on Monday.

The GSF's mission to deliver aid to Gaza is a testament to the global solidarity and determination to bring relief to those in need. The incident in Tunisia serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by aid flotillas attempting to break Israel's naval blockade.