Greta Thunberg Gaza aid flotilla attacked again!

Photo credit: Reuters

International aid initiative Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) has said one of its boats was attacked at Tunisia’s Sidi Bou port.

The Guardian reports it as the second such strike in two days.

The GSF is seeking to break Israel’s naval blockade and deliver humanitarian aid to war-torn Gaza by using civilian boats. However, it was reported early Wednesday that all passengers and crew were unharmed and that no structural damage had been caused.

The flotilla, which is carrying aid and pro-Palestinian activists like Greta Thunberg, posted a video on social media of Wednesday’s alleged attack. The video showed a luminous object striking the boat, with fire erupting immediately afterwards on board.

It was not possible to immediately verify the video.

GSF reported a first attack on Tuesday. It said one of its vessels had been struck by a drone in Tunisian waters. Tunisia’s interior ministry said it was not true. It said a fire broke out on the vessel itself.

According to the group, the British-flagged Alma sustained fire damage to its top deck, and an investigation is underway.

It later posted an image of what it described as a “charred electronic device” recovered from the deck. “While full investigation is ongoing, the presence of such a device provides further indication that the boat was deliberately targeted,” it said.

Francesca Albanese, UN special rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories, posted a video of the burning Alma and said it indicated a drone attack. 

Several ambulances rushed to the port, while a Reuters witness reported coastguard boats near the Alma.

The activists said they would continue with their voyage on Wednesday as planned, as the flotilla “presses forward with determination and resolve”.

Supported by delegations from 44 countries, the flotilla includes Swedish activist Thunberg and Portuguese left-wing politician Mariana Mortagua.

The GSF statement did not say who it believed was behind the alleged attacks, but described them as an “orchestrated attempt to distract and derail our mission”.