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| Meta AI Image of Gaza Flotilla with Greta Thunberg |
Incident on the High Seas: What We Know About the Alleged Drone Strike on the Gaza Flotilla with Greta Thunberg
A new chapter in the ongoing humanitarian crisis surrounding Gaza has opened up on the water, as a flotilla of aid vessels, including one with renowned climate activist Greta Thunberg on board, has reportedly been the target of a drone strike. The incident, which occurred while the boats were anchored off the coast of Tunisia, has sparked a debate over what exactly happened and who is responsible.
The “Global Sumud Flotilla” (GSF), a multi-vessel mission carrying humanitarian aid and pro-Palestinian activists from 44 nations, claims that one of its main boats was hit by a drone. According to the GSF, the alleged strike caused a fire on the deck of the Portuguese-flagged vessel. Fortunately, the crew was able to extinguish the blaze, and all six people on board were reported safe. Videos shared by the GSF on social media show the damage and provide eyewitness accounts of an explosion and a fire.
However, Tunisian authorities have vehemently denied the claims. A spokesperson for Tunisia’s national guard stated that “no drone” was detected in the area and that an initial investigation suggested the explosion originated from within the vessel itself, possibly due to a fire involving life jackets.
This is not the first time a Gaza-bound flotilla has made headlines. The GSF’s mission is part of a long-standing effort to break the naval blockade on Gaza, which Israel has maintained since 2007. Israel has repeatedly characterized these missions as “publicity stunts” that do not provide substantial humanitarian assistance and are designed to challenge its security measures.
Greta Thunberg’s involvement has brought a new level of international attention to this particular flotilla. This is her second attempt to reach Gaza by sea; in June, she was on a different aid ship that was intercepted by Israeli forces, and she was subsequently deported. In a press conference before the current voyage, Thunberg said the flotilla was an effort to challenge an “extremely violent, business-as-usual international system.”
The incident in Tunisian waters, regardless of the cause, highlights the high-stakes and tense environment surrounding attempts to deliver aid to Gaza by sea. With the GSF determined to continue its journey and Israeli authorities vowing to intercept the vessels, the world is watching to see what happens next on the horizon.
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