Greta Thunberg’s boat to Gaza was attacked by a drone: what we know about the incident.

According to The Sun: Greta Thunberg's statement that her convoy flotilla heading to Gaza was attacked by a drone is 'not grounded in truth'.

Tunisian authorities denied her accusations, claiming that her boat was not targeted.

Instagram / @globalsumudflotilla Instagram / @globalsumudflotilla

In dramatic video released by her fellow activist Yasemin Akar, she noted:

“The family boat was officially attacked – a drone flew right over it, dropped a bomb, and it exploded, and the boat caught fire.”

 

“Everyone on the boat is fine. The fire is extinguished,”

Akar added.

Video on social media shows the aftermath of the fire.

Gousem Eddin Jebali, spokesperson for the Tunisian National Guard, stated:

“No drones were detected.”

 

“According to preliminary data, the fire occurred due to life jackets on board,”

he added.

Thunberg's accusations were characterized as “absolutely unfounded” and “not grounded in truth” according to a statement from the National Guard on Facebook.

 

“There is no evidence of any hostile act or external attack,”

the statement said.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire could have started “due to a lighter or a cigarette butt.”

Despite Tunisia's denial, Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, noted:

“We would not be surprised if it was Israel.”

 

“We do not know who carried out the attack,”

she said.

 

“If it is confirmed that it was Israel, it is an attack on Tunisian sovereignty,”

Albanese added.

About the Flotilla

Thunberg is part of a convoy of approximately 350 activists and humanitarian workers sailing to Gaza.

The group described their journey as a “peace mission” aimed at delivering aid to Palestinians.

One of the boats, 'The Family Boat', is sailing under the Portuguese flag and carries members of the flotilla's steering committee, including Greta. The boat caught fire off the northern coast of Africa.

This boat was in Tunisian waters during the fire and was carrying many of the same people who were detained with Greta in June during a previous attempt to reach Gaza.

 

“They shelled the boat with civilians on board in Tunisian territory,”

she said.

 

“This is an attack on Gaza because they didn't want us to be there. So we need you to mobilize. Let's not be silent,”

Thunberg added. Shutterstock Editorial Alamy

The fire on the boat was minor.

The Global Flotilla “Sumud” conducting this mission confirmed the likelihood of an attack.

In their statement, they reported:

“The Global Sumud Flotilla confirms that one of the main boats, 'The Family Boat', – which was delivering members of the GSF Steering Committee – was hit, as suspected, by a drone.”

 

“The boat was sailing under the Portuguese flag, and all passengers and crew are safe,”

they continued.

The group stated that an investigation has been initiated.

 

“Acts of aggression aimed at intimidating and disrupting our mission will not stop us.”

 

“Our peaceful mission to break the blockade of Gaza and stand in solidarity with its people continues with determination and confidence.”

Next Steps for the Flotilla

To date, no country has taken responsibility for the attack; however, Israel has characterized flotilla volunteers as “terrorists”, warning that they will be detained if they attempt to break the maritime blockade.

In Tunisia, speaking to a crowd at the port of Sidi Bou Said, Thunberg noted:

“We all know why we are here.”

 

“Just over water, genocide is happening, mass famine from Israeli murder,”

she added.

It was mentioned that the alleged attack occurred just a week after several drones were spotted over the flotilla.

Akar also noted on social media:

“We have spotted the first drones, and as far as we know, every boat now has a drone above it.”

Video was released while the flotilla was about 90 nautical miles from the Spanish island of Menorca.

Akar continued:

“We are closely monitoring them, trying to understand what kind of drones these are and what they are doing here,”

she said.

In June, Greta also attempted a similar mission and was deported by Israel along with 11 other activists after being stopped by Israeli military forces.

Israel has been accused of using drones to disperse irritants over Greta's flotilla prior to detaining activists.

AFP Twitter/OSINTdefender

Images from arrests showed the boat's deck stained with an unknown white liquid.

Akar was also on board in June and claimed that the liquid was introduced by Israel, affecting her eyes.

Despite the June deportation, both activists show no signs of wanting to halt their activities, continuing to participate in the flotilla to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.

A convoy of approximately 20 boats with delegations from 44 countries will be the largest attempt to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza by sea.

The blockade has been in place for 18 years.

Getty

About 20 boats currently make up the flotilla to Gaza.

Other vessels from Italy and Tunisia are set to join the convoy soon, departing from the western end of the Mediterranean Sea towards the Gaza Strip.

This comes amid increasing Israeli attacks on Gaza City, which are limiting food and essential supplies to residents of northern Palestinian territories.

Last month, food experts reported that the city is experiencing famine, with at least half a million people facing catastrophic levels of food shortages.

The Global Flotilla “Sumud” is delivering food, water, and medicine.

Activists on board are calling for safe passage for the delivery of necessary aid and the opening of a sea corridor.