Late Tuesday, organizers of a flotilla heading to Gaza with aid and pro-Palestinian activists reported that another vessel was hit by a suspected drone attack near Tunisia’s coast.
The flotilla, aimed at breaking Israel’s blockade on Gaza, was set to continue its journey on Wednesday after multiple weather-related and other delays.
“Second night, second drone attack,” said Melanie Schweizer, one of the coordinators, to AFP.
The British-flagged Alma was in Tunisian waters on Tuesday when it was “attacked,” causing “fire damage to its top deck,” according to a statement from the Global Sumud Flotilla. Fortunately, no one was injured.
AFP journalists witnessed a boat in the distance, surrounded by Tunisian law enforcement vessels with flashing lights.
This incident follows a similar suspected UAV attack on another boat, although Tunisian authorities claimed “no drones” were detected.
The activists intend to proceed with their “peaceful voyage” on Wednesday, determined to continue their mission.
Two Nights, Two Fires
Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories, shared a video of the burning Alma, suggesting it was due to a UAV attack.
“Video evidence suggests a drone—undetectable with no lights—dropped a device that ignited the Alma’s deck,” she posted on social media.
The flotilla reached Tunisia over the weekend and was anchored off Sidi Bou Said, north of Tunis, when the first incident was reported.
Some flotilla members claimed they saw the drone, stating the fire started immediately on the boat’s bow.
Authorities dismissed drone strike reports as “completely unfounded,” suggesting a cigarette butt might have caused the fire.
Tunisian national guard spokesman Houcem Eddine Jebabli told AFP overnight that “no drones have been detected.”
Security footage released by flotilla organizers showed a burning object falling onto the ship from afar.
‘Distract and Derail’
The activists did not accuse Israel of the suspected attacks but noted they occurred amid increased Israeli aggression in Gaza, aiming to “distract and derail our mission.”
The Israeli military did not respond to AFP’s request for comment on Tuesday.
Last month, the United Nations declared famine in parts of Gaza, warning that 500,000 people face “catastrophic” conditions.
Sumud means “resilience” in English, and the flotilla describes itself as an independent group not affiliated with any government or political party.
Among its notable participants is environmental activist Greta Thunberg.
