The Tunisian Interior Ministry reported that the attack that took place overnight Wednesday on one of the ships bound for the Palestinian Gaza Strip as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla was deliberate. The statement was cited by radio station Mosaique FM.
“The attack yesterday on one of the ships moored in the port of Sidi Bou Said was planned,” the statement said. The Interior Ministry is investigating to clarify all the facts and identify those responsible.
Earlier reports mentioned a drone strike on the “Alma” vessel, which was preparing to travel to the Gaza Strip to break its blockade as part of the international humanitarian flotilla. This attack did not cause significant material damage.
On the night of September 9, another incident occurred. A fire broke out on board one of the ships. The flotilla’s leadership stated that the blaze was caused by a drone strike, but the Tunisian National Guard denied this information.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, consisting of a dozen ships from different countries, with hundreds of activists on board, including Swedish human rights activist Greta Thunberg, arrived off the coast of Tunisia on September 7. The mission was set to depart for the Gaza Strip on September 10, but its departure was delayed due to weather conditions.
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Photo: Citizen59/Creative Commons 2.0
Based on materials from TASS