Fire on one of the Global Sumud Flotilla boats: ‘Hit by a drone’

Brussels – Hit by a drone in Tunisian waters: this is what the  Global Sumud Flotilla claims to have happened, and videos appear to support it: one of the main ships of the humanitarian mission bound for Gaza was struck while anchored off the Tunisian port of Sidi Bou Said in the night between Monday and Tuesday. The small fire that ensued has been put out, and the six passengers of the Family Boat are fine, the collective specified in a statement. 

The Tunisian Ministry of the Interior and the Tunisian Coast Guard immediately denied the attack, claiming that the fire may have started for other reasons, such as a cigarette butt. However, the videos circulating on social media leave no room for interpretation. As recounted by one of the ship’s passengers, Portuguese activist Miguel Duarte, the vessel — sailing under the Portuguese flag — was hit by “a drone flying just four meters above our heads.” The strike reportedly caused damage to the main deck and the below-deck storage area.

“Acts of aggression aimed at intimidating us and derailing our mission will not deter us,” promises the Global Sumud Flotilla in a statement. The most immediate hypothesis is that Israel, which is no stranger to operations of this kind – most recently against other Flotilla boats – orchestrated the sabotage. However, the drone used would probably have left from the Tunisian coast. 

“There is no doubt who is behind this heinous crime. Left-wing MEPs Emma Fourreau and Lynn Boylan are safe and have been located. Solidarity with the entire crew of this humanitarian mission,” the Left Group in the European Parliament announced on X in the morning. While the 5 Star Movement delegation, which is part of the group, calls for “the opening of an international investigation into this guerrilla action against a peaceful and peace-driven initiative.”

Footage from another boat of our Flotilla shows the exact moment the Family Boat was struck from above. pic.twitter.com/qVpUyg56uP

— Global Sumud Flotilla (@GlobalSumudFlot) September 9, 2025