Drone attack hits main ship carrying Sumud Flotilla activists

An aid vessel carrying humanitarian supplies and activists to besieged Gaza reportedly came under a drone attack off the North African coast, igniting a fire on board. The Portuguese-flagged boat was part of the Freedom Flotilla, transporting nearly 350 human rights activists and aid workers, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.

According to the flotilla organizers, the main ship—where steering committee members were present, was struck, but all crew and passengers remained unharmed. The fire, however, caused significant damage to the deck and storage areas.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition released video footage showing the aftermath of the attack. In a statement, the Sumud Flotilla said the incident would not deter them from their mission. “Acts of aggression and intimidation will not derail our commitment to peacefully deliver aid to Palestinians,” the group declared.

Tunisia’s National Guard dismissed reports of an aerial strike, claiming the blast might have been triggered by life jackets catching fire on board.

Read more: Israeli minister threatens to designate Gaza-bound Sumud Flotilla activists as terrorists

The flotilla had departed from Barcelona, Spain, on August 31, marking its third and largest attempt to deliver aid to Gaza by sea. Earlier, in July, the Israeli military intercepted and seized the aid ship Hanzala as it sailed from Italy toward Gaza.

At the time of the incident, the aid vessel was positioned about 70 nautical miles off Gaza’s coast, the coalition confirmed.