Greta Thunberg's Gaza Flotilla Hit By Drone, Organizers Claim

A boat in the Global Sumud Flotilla, which includes Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, was reportedly hit by a drone while docked in Tunis, Tunisia, on Tuesday (September 9). The flotilla, aiming to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, claimed the vessel, sailing under the Portuguese flag, was struck by an incendiary device dropped by a drone. All six passengers and crew onboard were unharmed.

The Tunisian interior ministry, however, denied the drone strike, suggesting instead that a fire on the boat was caused by a lighter or cigarette butt. Despite the incident, the flotilla plans to continue its mission to break Israel's naval blockade on Gaza. The blockade, in place since 2007, aims to prevent weapons from reaching Hamas, the militant group controlling Gaza.

A video shared by the flotilla organizers shows the vessel being hit by a flaming object. Portuguese activist Miguel Duarte, who was aboard, claimed he saw a drone moments before the explosion. An investigation into the incident is underway.

Francesca Albanese, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Palestinian territories, suggested Israel might be behind the attack, though no evidence was provided. Israel has not commented on the incident.

The flotilla's mission has faced previous challenges. In June, Israeli forces detained Thunberg and others on a British-flagged yacht, dismissing the aid ship as a propaganda stunt. Despite these obstacles, the flotilla remains determined to reach Gaza, with the next departure scheduled for Wednesday.