A siren blares, alarming those on the Alma ship of the Global Sumud Flotilla, who quickly notice a projectile descending towards them, resulting in an explosion on the top deck. Video footage released by Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) captured what they claim to be a drone strike targeting the vessel en route to Gaza. The incident, occurring on Tuesday in Tunisian waters, marked the second reported strike within two days.
According to Reuters, the authenticity of the video has been confirmed. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported, and the vessel sustained no significant damage, as stated in a message shared by GSF on Instagram. A spokesperson reaffirmed the flotilla’s commitment to its mission of breaking the Gaza siege.
Zaheera Soomar, a pro-Palestinian activist from Toronto onboard one of the docked vessels, expressed that despite the recent attacks, individuals remain undeterred and prepared for such occurrences. Soomar highlighted their training in identifying drones and mentioned that the incidents have only fueled their determination.
Speculations have emerged, with some activists attributing the attacks to Israel, known for intercepting previous attempts by activists to reach Gaza via sea. Israel has not responded to these allegations, citing the necessity of the blockade to prevent smuggling, particularly weapons. Tunisian authorities have not commented on the recent incident.
The flotilla, consisting of approximately 20 boats carrying symbolic humanitarian aid for Gaza, is currently undergoing security checks with plans to depart later today. In a news release, GSF condemned the attacks as deliberate attempts to disrupt their mission but affirmed their resolve to continue the peaceful voyage.
The assault on the Alma mirrored a similar incident involving their main vessel, the “Family” boat, the previous night. Heidi Matthews, a law professor supporting the flotilla in Tunis, corroborated the account, citing eyewitnesses and video evidence of the drone strike.
Both the Alma and Family serve as the mission’s main support vessels, accommodating prominent members like Greta Thunberg and Ada Colau. Soomar acknowledged the risks involved, including potential imprisonment, emphasizing the mission’s non-violent nature and the sole focus on delivering aid to Gaza.
Despite the challenges, the activists remain steadfast in their mission to break the Gaza blockade, emphasizing their peaceful intentions and the humanitarian nature of their voyage.
