Tunis: A tense standoff of narratives unfolded on Monday evening after a vessel belonging to the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) reported being struck by a drone while docked at the Sidi Bou Said port in Tunisia. Tunisian authorities, however, firmly denied any aerial strike, attributing the fire that damaged the boat to an internal malfunction.
The incident involved the Family Boat, a Portuguese-flagged vessel that serves as the flotilla’s steering committee hub. According to GSF, the boat was hit “from above” by what they described as a drone, sparking flames that engulfed sections of the main deck and storage areas below. Video footage released on social media by the flotilla appeared to show an airborne object descending onto the boat, followed by rising smoke. All six crew members escaped unharmed, though the ship sustained significant damage.
Tunisian officials immediately pushed back against the drone-strike claims. A spokesperson for the National Guard insisted that investigators found no evidence of an external attack, instead citing signs of a fire originating inside the vessel. The Interior Ministry labeled the flotilla’s account as baseless, dismissing the narrative as lacking factual support.
The conflicting accounts drew international attention, not least because of the flotilla’s symbolic role in challenging Israel’s longstanding blockade of Gaza. The GSF mission, comprising civilian activists and aid workers from 44 countries, aims to deliver humanitarian assistance and raise global awareness of Gaza’s plight. Among its supporters are well-known figures such as Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and Portuguese politician Mariana Mortágua.
Reactions at the Tunisian port highlighted the political sensitivity of the episode. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered in solidarity with the flotilla, waving flags and condemning what they viewed as an attack designed to derail the mission. GSF leaders reaffirmed their determination to proceed, declaring that “acts of aggression aimed at intimidating and derailing our mission will not deter us.”
United Nations Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, who was present at the site, raised concerns that if Israel was behind the attack, the act would represent not only an escalation against humanitarian activists but also a violation of Tunisian sovereignty. Though her remarks stopped short of confirming responsibility, they underscored the gravity of the claims.
The episode comes against a backdrop of repeated confrontations between flotilla missions and Israeli authorities. Earlier this year, several aid boats were intercepted in international waters and diverted by Israel, which argues that such convoys function as propaganda efforts supportive of Hamas. Meanwhile, Gaza continues to endure severe humanitarian conditions, with widespread casualties, famine warnings, and restricted access to supplies since the outbreak of war in October 2023.
As investigations continue, the contrasting accounts of a drone strike versus an onboard fire reflect a broader crisis of trust. Whether the incident was a deliberate act of sabotage or a tragic accident, it has added another layer of tension to the already fraught struggle over humanitarian access to Gaza. The coming days may prove decisive in clarifying the truth and in shaping how the international community responds to both the flotilla’s mission and Tunisia’s sovereignty concerns.