On September 9, 2025, a significant incident unfolded in the Mediterranean, raising tensions and drawing global attention to the ongoing efforts to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF), an international coalition of activists aiming to break Israel’s naval blockade and deliver essential supplies to the war-torn Gaza Strip, reported that one of its primary vessels, the Portuguese-flagged "Family Boat," was struck by what organizers suspect was a drone attack while docked in Tunisian waters. The incident, which occurred late on Monday, September 8, 2025, in the port of Sidi Bou Said, approximately 80 kilometers from Tunis, has sparked controversy, with conflicting accounts from the flotilla organizers and Tunisian authorities. The presence of high-profile activists, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, has further amplified the global spotlight on this event. This article provides a comprehensive examination of the incident, its context, implications, and the broader geopolitical dynamics at play, based on available reports and firsthand accounts.
The Incident: A Suspected Drone Attack
According to the Global Sumud Flotilla, the Family Boat, which was carrying members of the group’s steering committee, was anchored in Tunisian waters when it was struck by an explosive device at approximately 11:45 PM local time on September 8, 2025. The GSF described the incident as a deliberate drone attack, asserting that an unidentified unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) hovered above the vessel before dropping a bomb that caused a significant explosion and fire on the boat’s forward deck. The blaze primarily damaged the main deck and below-deck storage areas, particularly affecting a pile of life jackets, which caught fire and required swift action from the crew to extinguish. Despite the intensity of the explosion, all six passengers and crew members aboard the Family Boat were reported safe, with no injuries sustained.
Miguel Duarte, a Portuguese crew member who witnessed the event, provided a vivid account of the attack. In a video posted on the GSF’s Instagram account and shared widely across media platforms, Duarte recounted standing on the aft deck when he heard the distinct sound of a drone. “I saw a drone clearly about 4 meters [13 feet] above my head,” he stated. “I called someone. We were looking at the drone, just above our heads, really.” According to Duarte, the drone then moved slowly toward the forward deck, paused briefly above a stack of life jackets, and dropped what he described as “obviously a bomb.” The resulting explosion caused “big, big flames” and significant fire damage, though the crew’s quick response with fire extinguishers prevented further harm. Duarte emphasized the certainty of the drone attack, stating, “Let me be clear: 100% it was a drone dropping a bomb on the forward deck of our ship.” He also highlighted the potential lethality of the incident, noting, “We could have been killed.”
The GSF released security camera footage and videos from nearby vessels that appear to corroborate their claims. One clip, shared by Francesca Albanese, the U.N. Special Rapporteur for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, shows crew members reacting to an object falling from above, followed by a sudden explosion and flames. Another video, captured from a nearby boat, depicts an incendiary device striking the Family Boat, further supporting the organizers’ assertion of an external attack. The GSF condemned the incident as an act of aggression intended to intimidate and derail their humanitarian mission, vowing that such actions would not deter their resolve. “Our peaceful mission to break the siege on Gaza and stand in solidarity with its people continues with determination and resolve,” the group stated.
Tunisian Authorities’ Response
In stark contrast to the GSF’s narrative, Tunisian authorities have categorically denied the occurrence of a drone attack. The Tunisian National Guard and Interior Ministry issued statements asserting that their preliminary investigations found no evidence of UAV activity in the area. Instead, they attributed the fire to an internal cause, specifically suggesting that a cigarette butt or lighter ignited a life jacket, which then sparked the blaze. Houcem Eddine Jebabli, a spokesperson for the National Guard, told AFP that reports of a drone strike were “completely unfounded” and that the fire was confined to a pile of life jackets, causing no significant material damage beyond the burning of several jackets. The Interior Ministry echoed this position, stating that specialized security units inspected the scene and found no indication of an external attack.
The discrepancy between the GSF’s account and the Tunisian authorities’ findings has fueled speculation and debate. The GSF later claimed that the Tunisian statements were issued before authorities had reviewed the group’s video evidence, suggesting that the official narrative might shift upon further investigation. A GSF spokesperson told CBS News that Tunisian officials had established a special committee to re-examine the incident in light of the footage provided by the flotilla. However, as of September 9, 2025, no updated statements from Tunisian authorities have confirmed a change in their position.
The Global Sumud Flotilla: Mission and Context
The Global Sumud Flotilla, named after the Arabic word for “resilience” or “steadfastness,” is a coalition of approximately 50 civilian boats from 44 countries, carrying hundreds of activists, including doctors, journalists, and human rights campaigners. The flotilla’s stated mission is to deliver humanitarian aid—primarily food and medical supplies—to Gaza, challenging Israel’s longstanding naval blockade of the Palestinian enclave. The blockade, enforced by Israel since Hamas’s takeover of Gaza in 2007, has been tightened significantly since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7, 2023. The GSF’s effort is described as the largest civilian maritime initiative to break the blockade, with participants from diverse backgrounds united by a commitment to solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Among the flotilla’s high-profile participants is Greta Thunberg, the Swedish climate activist known for her global advocacy on environmental issues. Thunberg, who has increasingly engaged in pro-Palestinian activism, joined the GSF to draw attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Her involvement has brought significant media attention to the flotilla, though it remains unclear whether she was aboard the Family Boat at the time of the incident. Thunberg was part of a previous Gaza-bound flotilla in June 2025, which was intercepted by Israeli naval forces, resulting in her brief detention along with other activists. Her participation in the GSF underscores the intersection of environmental and social justice movements, as well as the polarized reactions to her activism, with some praising her commitment and others, as seen in posts on X, dismissing the flotilla as a “publicity stunt” to support Hamas.
The GSF’s mission operates in a highly contentious geopolitical context. Israel’s blockade, justified by the government as a security measure to prevent weapons smuggling to Hamas, has been widely criticized by international organizations for exacerbating Gaza’s humanitarian crisis. The United Nations has reported catastrophic conditions in parts of Gaza, including famine affecting 500,000 people, with 387 Palestinians, including 139 children, reported dead from starvation by the Palestine Ministry of Health. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, citing allegations of using starvation as a method of warfare—a charge Israel vehemently denies. The GSF’s attempt to deliver aid directly to Gaza is both a practical effort to alleviate suffering and a symbolic challenge to Israel’s control over the enclave’s borders.
Conflicting Narratives and Implications
The conflicting accounts of the September 8 incident raise critical questions about accountability, sovereignty, and the safety of humanitarian missions. The GSF has pointedly accused Israel of orchestrating the drone attack, though no direct evidence linking Israel to the incident has been made public. Israel has not issued an official response to the allegations, consistent with its practice of avoiding comment on unverified incidents. If confirmed, a drone strike in Tunisian waters would represent a significant escalation, potentially violating Tunisian sovereignty and raising questions about the targeting of civilian vessels engaged in humanitarian activities. Francesca Albanese, in her comments on the incident, described a confirmed drone attack as “an assault and aggression against Tunisia,” emphasizing the need to reject the normalization of such actions.
Conversely, the Tunisian authorities’ claim that the fire resulted from an internal accident, such as a cigarette butt, suggests either a misunderstanding or a deliberate attempt to downplay the incident’s severity. Critics argue that Tunisia, wary of escalating tensions with Israel or other regional powers, may be reluctant to acknowledge a foreign attack in its waters. The establishment of a special investigative committee, as reported by CBS News, indicates that Tunisian officials may be open to revisiting their initial conclusions, particularly if the GSF’s video evidence proves compelling.
The incident also highlights the risks faced by activists challenging Israel’s blockade. Previous attempts to deliver aid by sea have met with forceful responses, including the interception of vessels and the detention of passengers. In 2010, a similar flotilla organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition was boarded by Israeli forces, resulting in the deaths of 10 activists—an event that sparked international outrage. The GSF’s organizers are acutely aware of these dangers, as evidenced by Duarte’s reference to the deaths of humanitarian and medical workers in the Israel-Hamas conflict. “We know the dangers that we’re facing,” he said, underscoring the group’s determination to proceed despite the risks.
Broader Geopolitical and Humanitarian Context
The incident in Tunisian waters must be understood within the broader context of the Israel-Hamas war and the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Since October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, the ensuing conflict has resulted in over 64,500 Palestinian deaths, according to the Palestine Ministry of Health, and widespread destruction of infrastructure in Gaza. Israel’s tightened blockade has restricted the flow of food, medicine, and other essentials, prompting international condemnation and accusations of a “manmade famine” by the United Nations. While Israel began allowing limited aid into Gaza in May 2024, humanitarian organizations argue that these measures are insufficient to address the scale of the crisis.
The GSF’s mission is part of a long tradition of activist-led efforts to challenge the blockade through direct action. These efforts often provoke strong reactions from Israel, which views such flotillas as attempts to undermine its security and provide support to Hamas, a designated terrorist organization in many countries. Posts on X reflect this polarized sentiment, with some users, such as @James_J_Marlow, labeling the flotilla a “publicity stunt” to bolster Hamas, while others, like @AJEnglish, highlight the group’s humanitarian goals and Thunberg’s call to end the “deliberate denial of basic survival needs” in Gaza.
The incident also underscores the challenges of operating in a region fraught with geopolitical tensions. Tunisia, a North African nation with a history of neutrality in regional conflicts, finds itself inadvertently drawn into the Israel-Palestine dispute. The country’s denial of a drone attack may reflect a desire to avoid entanglement in a volatile situation, particularly given its economic and political vulnerabilities. However, the GSF’s insistence on a drone strike, backed by video evidence, could pressure Tunisian authorities to conduct a more thorough investigation, potentially straining diplomatic relations with Israel or other actors suspected of involvement.
Ongoing Investigation and Future Prospects
As of September 9, 2025, the investigation into the incident remains ongoing, with the GSF promising to release further details as they become available. The group’s determination to continue its mission, despite the attack, reflects a broader commitment among activists to challenge the status quo in Gaza. The flotilla, which departed from Barcelona, Spain, in late August and arrived in Tunisia on September 7, is expected to resume its journey to Gaza on September 10, assuming the Family Boat’s damages are repairable. The participation of activists from over 45 countries, including Tunisians, Turks, Europeans, Africans, and Asians, underscores the global resonance of the Palestinian cause and the willingness of civilians to risk their safety to deliver aid.
For Greta Thunberg and her fellow activists, the incident is a stark reminder of the obstacles facing humanitarian efforts in conflict zones. Thunberg’s transition from climate activism to pro-Palestinian advocacy has drawn both admiration and criticism, with detractors accusing her of abandoning her environmental focus and supporters praising her for addressing interconnected issues of justice and human rights. Her presence on the flotilla, whether aboard the Family Boat or another vessel, has elevated the incident’s visibility, ensuring that it remains a focal point in international discussions about Gaza.
Conclusion
The reported drone attack on the Global Sumud Flotilla’s Family Boat in Tunisian waters on September 8, 2025, is a complex and contentious event that encapsulates the challenges of delivering humanitarian aid in a conflict zone. The GSF’s claim of a deliberate drone strike, supported by eyewitness accounts and video evidence, stands in sharp contrast to Tunisian authorities’ assertion of an internal fire caused by a cigarette or lighter. The incident raises critical questions about accountability, the safety of civilian activists, and the enforcement of Israel’s blockade on Gaza. As the investigation continues, the GSF’s resolve to press forward with its mission highlights the enduring commitment of activists to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, even in the face of significant risks. The involvement of Greta Thunberg and the global attention her participation attracts ensure that this incident will remain a flashpoint in the ongoing struggle for Palestinian rights and the broader debate over humanitarian intervention in conflict zones.
