The fleet added that all passengers and crew members are safe, clarifying that the targeted ship is ‘Alma,’ which flies the British flag and was damaged due to a fire on its upper deck. An investigation into the incident is underway. The fleet, an international relief initiative aiming to break the Israeli naval blockade on Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid via civilian boats, reported a similar drone attack in Tunisian waters yesterday, which Tunisian authorities denied. The fleet published a video on Instagram showing a luminous object hitting the boat, causing it to catch fire.
The fleet is supported by delegations from 44 countries, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and Portuguese leftist politician Mariana Mortágua. Israel has maintained the blockade since 2007, considering it necessary to prevent arms smuggling. The blockade remained during the current war that broke out following Hamas’s attack on southern Israel in October 2023, which resulted in the death of about 1,200 people and the taking of approximately 250 hostages, according to Israeli statistics.
Conversely, the Ministry of Health in Gaza reported that the Israeli military attack has since led to the death of more than 64,000 Palestinians, while a global hunger monitor confirmed that parts of the sector are experiencing famine. In March, Israel closed all land crossings to Gaza, blocking supplies for about three months, causing widespread food shortages, accusing Hamas of diverting and looting aid.
The latest Freedom Flotilla mission departed from Barcelona last week, arriving at Port Sidi Bou Said on Sunday, and is scheduled to head to Gaza between September 14 and 15. Activists from more than 40 countries are participating in the convoy, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, carrying humanitarian aid to pressure Israel to end the Gaza blockade. It is noteworthy that a previous Freedom Flotilla mission was halted last June after Israel arrested all passengers, including Thunberg, before they were later deported.
