Drone strike hits Greta Thunberg's flotilla setting it on fire as crew release update

A drone strike has reportedly hit Greta Thunberg's flotilla, the Global Sumud Flotilla for Gaza has said.

According to the GSF, one of their 20 vessels was hit by the strike on Monday night, causing a fire onboard.

A statement reads: “The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) confirms that one of the main boats, known as the 'Family Boat' – that was carrying GSF Steering Committee members, was struck by a drone in Tunisian waters.

"The boat is sailing under the Portuguese flag and all six passengers and crew are safe. Fire damage was caused to the main deck and below deck storage. An investigation is currently underway and when more information is available it will be released immediately.

"Acts of aggression aimed at intimidating and derailing our mission will not deter us. Our peaceful mission to break the siege on Gaza and stand in solidarity with its people continues with determination and resolve.”

The Global Sumud Flotilla for Gaza (GSF), made up of vessels carrying pro-Palestinian activists from 44 nations, is trying to break Israel's naval blockade on the Gaza Strip.

The GSF shared some footage on X, explaining: "Footage from another boat of our Flotilla shows the exact moment the Family Boat was struck from above."

In the video, an explosion can be seen above the boat at around half past midnight on September 9.

“I was sleeping when I heard this explosion,” journalist and activist Yusuf Omar - believed to be traveling onboard - said on social media.

“A big explosion happened right next to our diesel tank. The neighbouring boats spotted a drone coming in.

"They said it flew above basically where I was sleeping, and then it went to the front and detonated."

Despite the claims, authorities in Tunisia have denied the reports, claiming that the suspected drone attack 'had no basis of truth' and that the explosion originated from inside the vessel, also suggesting it may have been caused by a cigarette.

Meanwhile, Tunisia's national guard said 'no drones have been detected'.

Back in June, Thunberg had been traveling to the Gaza Strip on a boat named Madleen to bring aid to Palestinians when they were stopped by the military.

The seizure sparked the release of a pre-recorded video featuring Thunberg. In it, she said: "My name is Greta Thunberg and I am from Sweden.

"If you see this video we have been intercepted and kidnapped in international waters by the Israeli occupational forces — or forces that support Israel.

"I urge all my friends, family and comrades to put pressure on the Swedish government to release me and the others as soon as possible."

In a post on their Twitter page, the Israel foreign ministry said: "While Greta and others attempted to stage a media provocation whose sole purpose was to gain publicity - and which included less than a single truckload of aid - more than 1,200 aid trucks have entered Gaza from Israel within the past two weeks, and in addition, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has distributed close to 11 million meals directly to civilians in Gaza.

"There are ways to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip - they do not involve Instagram selfies.

"The tiny amount of aid that was on the yacht and not consumed by the 'celebrities' will be transferred to Gaza through real humanitarian channels."