Greta Thunberg Says Gaza Aid Ship Attacked by Drone, Tunisia Denies

Light House Denver – Environmental activist Greta Thunberg, along with the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), reported that their ship was attacked by a drone. The incident occurred while their vessel was in Tunisian waters, North Africa, on Tuesday (September 9, 2025). The GSF fleet had set sail on August 31, 2025, with 20 ships from 44 countries, including additional vessels from Italy and Tunisia, in a mission to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza.

This expedition is described as the largest in GSF’s history. One of the main vessels, the Family Boat, carried several key members of the steering committee, including Thunberg, German activist Yasmine Acar, and Brazilian social-environmental activist Thiago Avila.

Drone Attack Claims

In a video posted on Instagram, Greta Thunberg stated that one of their ships carrying humanitarian aid had been bombed. “I am currently at a port in Tunisia after one of our ships was bombed,” she said.

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Yasmine Acar also shared a video claiming that unmanned aerial vehicles were spotted flying over the flotilla when the ships were about 170 kilometers from the island of Mallorca. She said the drones appeared to be closely monitoring the ships’ movements.

Palestinian activist Saif Abukeshek accused Israel of carrying out the alleged attack. He stressed that no other authority could have done it. “They have committed genocide for the past 22 months, and now they are willing to attack a peaceful, non-violent flotilla,” he said in an official GSF statement.

Despite the alleged attack, activists insisted that their mission to Gaza would continue. “We will keep sailing to break the siege of Gaza,” Abukeshek added.

Tunisia’s Different Account

The Tunisian National Guard rejected the claims of a drone strike. Spokesperson Houcem Eddine Jebabli told AFP that preliminary investigations indicated the fire on the Family Boat came from a burning life jacket. He explained that a lighter or a cigarette butt possibly ignited it.

“According to initial findings, the fire occurred in a life jacket aboard a ship anchored 80 km from the port of Sidi Bou Said, coming from Spain,” he explained. “No drones were detected. The investigation is still ongoing.”

The National Guard also issued a statement on social media, calling reports of a drone attack “completely unfounded.” They added that there was no evidence of external targeting or hostile action against the GSF vessel.

Rising Tensions in the Mission

Most of the flotilla’s vessels remain off the Tunisian coast, preparing to continue their journey toward Gaza on Wednesday. The incident has heightened international political tensions surrounding the GSF mission. From the outset, many have considered the mission sensitive because it directly challenges Israel’s blockade.

Activists view the voyage as more than just a sailing mission. They treat it as a symbol of resistance against what they consider a violation of human rights in Gaza. However, Tunisia’s denial highlights sharp differences in the narratives over what truly happened in the Mediterranean waters.

The controversy over the alleged drone strike on the GSF ship reflects the complex political dynamics surrounding the Gaza conflict. While claims and denials continue, one thing is clear: the flotilla presses on, carrying a message of solidarity for the people of Gaza still living under blockade.

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