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

Sat Sep 13 2025 23:07:37 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Tunisian authorities deny allegations that a vessel carrying aid and activists, including Greta Thunberg, was attacked by a drone. This incident raises questions about the safety and legitimacy of humanitarian efforts in Gaza.

The Tunisian government has dismissed reports claiming that a Gaza-bound vessel involved in pro-Palestinian activism was struck by a drone. The humanitarian aid flotilla, which includes Greta Thunberg, reported damage to their vessel, but authorities stated no drone activity was detected and that the investigation remains ongoing. This denial follows a history of contentious interactions between humanitarian efforts and military actions 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 organisers of the flotilla, 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 was ongoing.

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

The GSF said their Family boat was struck in Tunisian waters, and fire had damaged the main deck.

In a series of videos published to their Instagram, spokespeople for the GSF said an incendiary device caused a fire onboard the vessel, which the crew was able to extinguish.

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

UN Human Rights Council special rapporteur and Tunisian resident Francesca Albanese, who was also featured in videos shared by the GSF, said that if an attack could be verified it would be an assault and aggression against Tunisia, and Tunisian sovereignty.

Albanese has been a prominent critic of Israel's military offensive in Gaza, and has been subject to sanctions imposed by the US in July - a decision welcomed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who called them a firm measure against the mendacious smear campaign against Israel.

Flotilla organisers have said that the aim of their mission is to break Israel's illegal siege on Gaza, but have faced several setbacks.

In June, Israeli forces boarded a boat carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza and detained the 12 activists onboard, including Swedish activist Thunberg. Israeli authorities escorted the activists to the port of Ashdod before deporting them from the country.

Israeli authorities have characterised the attempts to sail aid to Gaza as publicity stunts that offered no real humanitarian assistance.

There have also been prior allegations of drone attacks on aid ships bound for Gaza; the Freedom Flotilla alleged that its ship The Conscience was struck by a drone in May off the coast of Malta.

Last month a UN-backed body confirmed that there was famine in Gaza and the UN's humanitarian chief said it was the direct result of Israel's systematic obstruction of aid entering Gaza.