In the early hours of 9 September, the vessel carrying the steering committee of the Global Sumud Flotilla was struck by what appears to be a bomb dropped from a military drone.

The attack, which occurred approximately 80 kilometres off the Tunisian coast, caused a fire on board and material damage was recorded. No one was injured. Tunisian authorities denied the report, describing it as a fire that broke out spontaneously on board, but videos showing an incendiary object falling from above contradict this version. No one has claimed responsibility so far, but in the past Israel has carried out similar attacks.

A drone over the Global Sumud Flotilla

In footage from cameras installed on the Global Sumud Flotilla vessels, an incendiary object can be seen falling from above and striking the "Family boat", the ship carrying the steering committee. Other videos filmed shortly afterwards by activists show the damage caused by the flames, which were extinguished quickly with no injuries.

Tunisia's Interior Ministry said it had not detected any drone activity off its coastline, while the Tunisian coast guard said the fire was caused by life jackets. These accounts contradict the videos released by Global Sumud Flotilla activists.

No one has claimed responsibility for the attack so far, but the manner in which it occurred is reminiscent of similar past incidents of Israeli origin. Last May, a Freedom Flotilla vessel — a humanitarian mission forming part of the Global Sumud Flotilla — was struck by two drones off Malta. The Israeli army subsequently attacked the vessels in international waters as they approached Gaza, seizing the ships and arresting activists, including Greta Thunberg. In 2010, Israeli naval forces attacked another Freedom Flotilla mission, killing nine people and wounding dozens more. In recent days, Israeli authorities had threatened the Global Sumud Flotilla, stating that activists would be treated as terrorists.

The mission continues

"Our humanitarian mission will not stop and will not be influenced by any threat," activist Thiago Avila stressed before a small crowd gathered at the port of Sidi Bou Said, including jurist Francesca Albanese, who lives in Tunisia.

The Global Sumud Flotilla is an international coalition founded in July 2025, formed by the union of various movements and solidarity initiatives in support of the Palestinian people. Over recent weeks it has gathered a great deal of support in terms of vessels, personnel and humanitarian aid, and since the end of August dozens of small boats have set sail to reach the Palestinian shores of the Gaza Strip. It is the largest civilian maritime mission ever attempted towards Gaza.