A Gaza-bound boat, which has often carried climate activist Greta Thunberg amid their ongoing campaign to bring necessities like food, water and medicine to the war-stricken Gaza strip, was allegedly attacked by a drone. According to Reuters, a total of six passengers and crew members were on board one of the six boats backed by the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF). All those on the main boat called “Family” were reportedly safe. 

In an official press statement, the GSF confirmed early Tuesday that the “Family Boat” carrying GSF Steering Committee members when it was attacked in Tunisian waters. “The boat is sailing under the Portuguese flag and all six passengers and crew are safe,” read the statement.

“Fire damage was caused to the main deck and below deck storage.” The group also affirmed that an investigation was underway and more details about the current scenario in connection with the boat and those onboard would be shared as and when made available.

“Acts of aggression aimed at intimidating and derailing our mission will not deter us. Our peaceful mission to break the siege on Gaza and stand in solidarity with its people continues with determination and resolve,” the GSF added.

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A footage showing the damage incurred by the ‘Family’ vessel has since been shared on social media. Another clip also captured the purported drone attack on camera.

Tunisia denies drone attack reports

The Tunisian National Guard, on the hand, had different outlook altogether. A spokesman slammed the drone attack reports, telling Mosaique FM radio they “have no basis in truth.” They further claimed that preliminary inspections revealed that an explosion broke out in the life jackets on the vessel itself.

In a statement issued via Facebook, the security agency labelled the reports as being “completely unfounded,” adding that the fire on the ship was initiated “as a result of a lighter or cigarette butt.” The Tunisian National Guard vehemently pointed to the lack of any evidence supporting claims of “any hostile act or external targeting.”

Gaza activist’s video message details drone attack on Flotilla’s Family boat

Yasemin Acar of the Freedom Flotilla movement further divulged in a video circulating online. “The Family boat has been officially attacked,” she said. “A drone came right above it, released a bomb and it exploded, and the boat was on fire.” She added that everyone on the boat was okay and the fire had been put out, adding that everyone from the old Madleen crew, including Greta Thunberg, was previously on this boat.

“They have bombed another boat once again with civilians on it in Tunisian territory,” she continued. “This is an attack against Gaza because they don’t want us there. We need you to mobilise. Let’s not stay quiet.”

Merely a day ago, a huge gathering of people welcomed Sweden’s Thunberg and other activists backing the cause as her Gaza-bound vessel docked at Tunisia’s port. “We all know why were are here,” the 22-year-old said at the time, bringing out aid for Palestinians residing in the war-riddled territory. “Just across the water there’s a genocide going on, a mass starvation by Israel’s murder machine.”

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Contrary to Israel’s repeated denial about Gaza people being afflicted by starvation, blaming any reports of hunger on Hamas, a UN-backed body confirmed last month there was famine in the area. UN’s humanitarian chief attributed the same to Israel’s “systematic obstruction” of aid coming to Gaza.

Back in June, the British-flagged Madleen yacht headed to Gaza for aid assistance was intercepted by the Israeli forced. “I instructed the IDF to act so that the Madleen … does not reach Gaza,” Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz proclaimed in a statement, as per Reuters. “To the antisemitic Greta and her Hamas-propaganda-spouting friends, I say clearly: You’d better turn back, because you will not reach Gaza.”