Gaza flotilla ship attacked by drone off Tunisia, organizers say

The organizers of a Gaza aid flotilla say a drone has struck a one of the ships as the convoy passed through Tunisian waters, sparking a fire on the main deck.

The organizers of a Gaza aid flotilla say a drone has struck a one of the ships as the convoy passed through Tunisian waters, sparking a fire on the main deck.

Tunisian officials disputed the account, however, saying the explosion came from inside the vessel.

“Acts of aggression aimed at intimidating and derailing our mission will not deter us,” The Global Sumud Flotilla said in a statement late Monday. “Our peaceful mission to break the siege on Gaza and stand in solidarity with its people continues with determination and resolution.”

A Global Sumud flotilla vessel floats in the waters as Tunisian Maritime National Guard boats conduct an inspection in Sidi Bou Said on Tuesday.Jihed Abidellaoui / ReutersThe explosion caused fire damage to the Portuguese-flagged boat’s main deck and below-deck storage, but all six passengers and crew are safe, GSF said in a statement.

With around 20 boats and participants from 44 countries, including activist Greta Thunberg, the group is the largest civilian maritime attempt to break the Israeli blockade of the Palestinian territory.