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Greta Thunberg’s Boat in the Global Gaza Floatila Attacked // Jimmy Dore
Jimmy Dore | Trusted Newsmaker
Greta Thunberg’s Gaza Flotilla Attacked by Drone Off Tunisian Coast
A humanitarian mission bound for Gaza, carrying climate activist Greta Thunberg and a group of international volunteers, was struck by what witnesses describe as a drone attack near Tunis. The assault sparked panic on board, ignited a fire, and highlighted the increasing dangers faced by activists attempting to break the blockade on Gaza .
The Attack
Eyewitnesses reported a loud explosion followed by flames on the vessel *Familia*, part of the Global Freedom Flotilla. The blast tore into the front of the ship as it lay docked in Tunisian waters. Video from the scene captured activists shouting for fire extinguishers as smoke billowed across the deck. Though the fire was eventually contained, the shock of the attack reverberated across the convoy .
Who Was On Board
The *Familia* carried many of the flotilla’s most recognized members, including Greta Thunberg, Yasmin, Tiago, Shuaib, and other veteran activists from the earlier *Madelene* campaign. Their goal was clear: to deliver supplies and draw attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The fact that this was the ship carrying some of the most visible figures raises questions about whether it was deliberately targeted .
Immediate Aftermath
Fortunately, no fatalities or serious injuries were reported. The flotilla’s support vessel, the *ALMA*, deployed dinghies with fire extinguishers to assist. Despite the damage and lingering threats overhead — activists claimed drones were still circling the area — the remaining boats pressed forward, determined not to abandon their mission .
International Outrage
Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur on the Israel-Palestine conflict, confirmed that the attack was carried out by a drone and condemned it as a violation of international law. She called it yet another example of civilians being targeted far from conflict zones. Activists and human rights organizations worldwide echoed this sentiment, demanding accountability and protection for the flotilla .
Why It Matters
This attack marks a dangerous escalation. The flotilla was operating in Tunisian territorial waters — far from Gaza — when the strike occurred. If confirmed as an Israeli drone operation, it would represent a cross-border military strike on civilians in a neutral country. For activists, it underscores the risks of challenging blockades. For international law experts, it raises alarms about precedent: if aid ships can be bombed outside of conflict zones, what protections remain for humanitarian missions?
Greta Thunberg’s presence ensures that this attack will not slip quietly into the background. What happened off Tunis is more than an isolated strike; it’s a test of how far military powers can go in targeting humanitarian campaigns without consequence. As the flotilla regroups and pushes onward, the world now watches closely — not only for Gaza’s sake, but for the future of civilian-led humanitarian resistance worldwide .
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