Tunis: An international activist group attempting to deliver aid to Gaza has claimed that one of its boats was struck by a drone while docked in Tunisia, though Tunisian authorities denied the report and said they are investigating a fire in a life jacket aboard the vessel.
The Global Sumud Flotilla said in a statement overnight that the vessel, known as the “Family Boat” and sailing under a Portuguese flag, was hit by a drone. The group added that no one on board was injured. Footage shared on the flotilla’s social media accounts showed a flash of light landing on the boat, sparking what appeared to be a fire.
The flotilla, scheduled to depart Tunisia on Wednesday, said the incident would not halt its mission to deliver aid to Gaza. The movement is part of a broader effort to deliver humanitarian assistance to the region by sea.
The Tunisian Interior Ministry called the drone attack reports “unfounded” and stated that specialized security units are investigating the fire on the life jacket.
Requests for comment from the Israeli military and government did not receive an immediate response.
With PTI inputs