Key points
- Tunisia says none detected
- UN warns of famine in Gaza
- Greta Thunberg joins aid flotilla
ISLAMABAD: Organisers of a Gaza-bound flotilla carrying aid and pro-Palestinian activists said late Monday that one of their boats was hit by a suspected UAV off the coast of Tunisia, but authorities there said “no drones” had been detected.
The main ship of the Gaza aid flotilla (Sumud) was targeted by a drone attack near the port of Tunis moments ago.@GlobalSumudF #Gaza #GazaGenocide #GazaHolocaust pic.twitter.com/pYFRiINMU5
— mohamad (@M_17225) September 9, 2025
The flotilla, which aims to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza, arrived in Tunisia over the weekend and was anchored off the coast of Sidi Bou Said when it reported the incident.
“The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) confirms that one of the main boats… was struck by what is suspected to be a drone,” the organisers said on social media, adding no one was hurt, reports AFP.
They shared security camera footage from the boat in which a humming sound can be heard, before a flash of light illuminates the frame.
The vessel was in Tunisian waters when a fire broke out on board and was quickly extinguished, according to AFP.
Cause of fire
But the cause of the blaze remained in dispute, with Tunisian national guard spokesman Houcem Eddine Jebabli saying “no drones have been detected”.
“According to preliminary findings, a fire broke out in the life jackets on board,” he told the media, adding the investigation was ongoing.
For real, Zio₦ists can’t breathe without lying.
㊙️ New footage shows the attack came from a drone-fired rocket—an IsraeI! drone, confirmed as spy planes circled the area.
Everyone:
KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE FLOTILLA. pic.twitter.com/9UHD7Acnl1
— Phantom Pain (@phantompain1984) September 9, 2025
Reports of a drone are “completely unfounded”, the national guard said in a statement on its official Facebook page, suggesting that the fire may have been caused by a cigarette.
Brazilian activist Thiago Avila posted a video on Instagram featuring testimony from another member of the flotilla who claimed to have seen a drone.
“It was 100 percent a drone that dropped a bomb,” the member says in the video.
The Israeli military did not immediately respond to any request for comment.
State of famine
Francesca Albanese, UN special rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories, shared the security camera footage and called attention to the sound, explosion and calls for help by the boat’s crew.
❗️Gaza aid flotilla BOMBED by Israeli drone in Tunisia
Greta and other flotilla leaders were on board when drone ‘released a bomb’ from above
Activist Yasemin Acar describes attack https://t.co/dpoUdEyZff pic.twitter.com/FgjsBmrmcX
— RT (@RT_com) September 8, 2025
“Draw your conclusions,” she wrote on X.
The Global Sumud Flotilla describes itself as an independent group not linked to any government or political party. Sumud means “resilience” in Arabic.
Among its high-profile participants is Greta Thunberg, who addressed pro-Palestinian campaigners in Tunisia on Sunday.
Gaza aid flotilla BOMBED by Israel in Tunisia
Flotilla leaders were on board when the attack happened. This is the moment when an Israeli drone hit the flotilla! pic.twitter.com/1U7vSTFTCV— Carlos Lopez (@CarlosL84862301) September 9, 2025
Israeli authorities have characterised the attempts to sail aid to Gaza as publicity stunts that offered no real humanitarian assistance, according to the BBC.
Israel has already blocked two attempts by activists to deliver aid by ship to Gaza, in June and July.
The United Nations declared a state of famine in parts of Gaza, warning that 500,000 people face “catastrophic” conditions.
