Activist flotilla faces drone attacks in Tunisia while attempting to reach Gaza

On September 9, 2025, an international activist flotilla, which consisted of multiple vessels aiming to breach the Israeli blockade of Gaza, was attacked for the second consecutive night while docked in Tunisian waters. The flotilla reported that one of its boats was targeted by a drone dropping incendiary devices, resulting in a fire on board. Fortunately, the crew managed to contain the blaze without suffering any injuries or substantial damage to the vessel. The spokesperson for the flotilla, Thiago Ávila, commented on the attack and reaffirmed their commitment to the mission despite the setbacks. The previous night, a similar incident had occurred on a nearby Portuguese-flagged vessel named “Family,” which, along with another main vessel called Alma, served as the key support for the smaller boats in the mission. Notably, the flotilla included prominent members like Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau. Tunisian coastal police were reported to be present alongside the flotilla boats, yet there was no immediate comment from local authorities, such as the Interior Ministry or coast guard, regarding the attack. Earlier that day, an overland convoy attempting to reach Gaza was obstructed by security forces in eastern Libya, indicating a broader pattern of resistance against such activism. Participants of the flotilla had previously reported seeing drones hovering over their vessels since departing Barcelona on September 1, reflecting ongoing surveillance by unidentified parties. Although there is no confirmed evidence linking the attacks to Israel, many activists voiced their suspicions, pointing out that Israel has a history of intercepting past flotilla attempts aimed at Gaza. Some experts have noted that the weaponry used in the attacks could have been launched from small commercial drones modified for offensive purposes. Amidst these tensions, Israeli authorities have responded by classifying activists as potential security threats, with proposals being made to categorize flotilla members as security prisoners, a move viewed negatively by many critics. The situation remains fluid as both the flotilla participants and local enforcement deal with escalating confrontations and the broader implications of attempting to challenge a maritime blockade.