At the Port of Sidi Bou Said in Tunisia, a blaze erupted aboard a boat destined for Gaza early on Tuesday, September 9, 2025. The vessel, known as the “Family Boat,” is part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a maritime convoy led by activists including Greta Thunberg who seek to deliver humanitarian aid to the war-torn Gaza Strip. The group asserts the fire was the result of a drone strike; Tunisian officials insist otherwise.
In a striking statement released in the hours following the incident, the flotilla’s organizers reported that the “Family Boat,” flying under a Portuguese flag and carrying members of the flotilla’s steering committee, had been struck by a drone while docked and stationary in Tunisian waters. They posted video footage that appears to show a flash of light falling from the sky and striking the deck of the boat, followed swiftly by flames breaking out onboard. Despite the sudden fire, no injuries were reported among the six people aboard.
The Global Sumud Flotilla—also known as “Steadfastness”—had arrived in Tunisia after departing from Barcelona with a cohort of activists, artists, doctors, politicians, and humanitarians representing at least 44 countries, all converging to challenge Israel’s maritime blockade of Gaza and draw global attention to the region’s humanitarian crisis. The convoy offers supplies such as food, medicine, and water as a symbol of solidarity.
Yet the narrative offered by Tunisian authorities diverges sharply from that of the flotilla. The Interior Ministry issued a forceful denial of any drone involvement, stating there had been no detection of unmanned aerial vehicles in the area during the incident. Authorities insisted that initial findings suggest the fire originated internally, possibly sparked by a cigarette in a cluster of life jackets onboard. They confirmed that a formal investigation is underway.
Tensions escalated further as citizens gathered near the docks, waving Palestinian flags and chanting “Free Palestine,” spotlighting public concern over the flotilla’s mission and its precarious situation.
Video footage shared by the flotilla amplified the activists’ version of events. The footage’s footage shows what appears to be a fiery object hurtling down onto the deck, igniting a sudden blaze. The panicked reaction of those onboard suggests a genuine belief among flotilla leaders that the fire was the result of an external, hostile act—a drone strike intended to intimidate and derail their mission.
This incident marks a continuation of a string of confrontations involving earlier flotilla efforts. In June, another flotilla ship—the Madleen, also carrying Greta Thunberg—was intercepted in international waters by Israeli naval commandos. The activists aboard were detained and deported. In May, yet another vessel, the Conscience, was reportedly attacked by drones in international waters off Malta, sustaining damage but resulting in no casualties.
International reactions to this latest flare-up have varied. The U.N. Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Francesca Albanese, voiced deep concern and called for immediate protection for the remaining flotilla vessels. News outlets report that the flotilla remains resolute, vowing to press ahead with their mission despite the escalating controversy.
Israel, for its part, has not issued a statement in response to the Tunisian incident. In previous flotilla attempts, Israeli officials characterized such voyages as propaganda, asserting that the blockade is intended to prevent weapons smuggling and for security—not to block humanitarian aid. They have denied claims of starvation or obstruction.
With both sides standing by their versions of the incident, the question lingers: Was this an act of aggression designed to deter civil protest and humanitarian intervention—or a tragic accident that misfired at the wrong moment and place? The answer may rest in ongoing investigations, analysis of the flimsy video footage, forensic assessments, and, perhaps most critically, broader geopolitical responses.
As the investigation ensues, the Global Sumud Flotilla remains poised to continue, pressed forward by its leaders’ commitment to breaking Gaza’s blockade and uplifting awareness of the unfolding famine and humanitarian catastrophe. It remains to be seen whether this latest confrontation will galvanize or hinder their resolve.