Activists reported that the lead ship of the Gaza-bound flotilla was struck by a drone off Tunisia, igniting a fire but causing no injuries.
The lead boat of the Global Sumud Flotilla, organized to break the siege on Gaza, caught fire off the Tunisian coast early Tuesday.
A video released by activists depicts a boat at sea with a burning object falling from above, igniting part of the vessel.
The International Committee to Break the Siege on Gaza, which published the video on Facebook, said it was filmed from another flotilla boat and shows the Family vessel being “struck” from above.
Earlier, the flotilla’s management reported that its main ship was attacked in the early hours of Tuesday, sparking a fire on board.
Thiago Ávila, a member of the steering committee, told Al-Jazeera that the Family boat was hit by an incendiary drone near the Tunisian coast. Several members of the crew were present, though no one was injured.
For his part, the flotilla’s spokesman, Saif Abu Kishk, stressed that the fleet would continue sailing despite the incident.
The convoy was scheduled to depart from the Tunisian port of Sidi Bou Said at a later date, aiming to challenge the Israeli blockade on Gaza.
Video shows a Global Sumud Flotilla vessel hit by a drone at Tunisia’s Sidi Bou Said port, sparking a fire on the main deck. On board were members of the flotilla’s steering committee. pic.twitter.com/mCKVRruRnO
— The Palestine Chronicle (@PalestineChron) September 9, 2025
Tunisian Denial
Tunisian police said they quickly contained the fire and confirmed there were no injuries. A spokesman for the National Guard denied reports of a drone strike, claiming that the blaze was due to an internal malfunction—possibly caused by an ignited life jacket.
By contrast, UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese stated on X that the most likely cause was a drone attack. She added that two other boats en route to Tunisia were in urgent need of protection.
Reuters news agency, citing the flotilla’s team, reported that the targeted vessel was carrying members of the fleet’s steering committee.
In Tunis, demonstrators gathered at Sidi Bou Said port, chanting anti-Israeli slogans and waving Palestinian flags following reports of the incident.
Global Freedom Flotilla: Gaza-bound Flotilla Reaches Tunisia En-route to Break Israeli siege
Largest Flotilla Yet
Over the past two days, around 20 ships arrived at Sidi Bou Said from Spain, forming part of what organizers describe as the largest international flotilla to date against the blockade of Gaza.
The convoy brings together activists from 44 countries and multiple organizations, including the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the Global Movement to Gaza, the Maghreb Steadfastness Flotilla, and the Nusantara Steadfastness Flotilla from East Asia.
According to Wael Nawar of the Maghreb Steering Committee, the flotilla plans to set sail for Gaza on Wednesday after final preparations. It is expected to include about 60 ships and more than 1,000 activists.
The management of the Global Steadfastness Flotilla has not confirmed whether Tuesday’s fire will affect the planned departure schedule.
(PC, AJA)
“ignited life jacket” — a life jacket with a built in incendiary explosive “feature”?? Why is the Tunisian police desperately trying to create a cover – and doing it badly?? Did anyone ask the Tunisian police about the falling obvious incendiary device that landing on the deck?? That sounds like “Israeli” lying. Or did “Israel” screamed at the Tunisian police to sink the ship and that’s all the police were willing to do: drop a incendiary device (artillery flare?)