A tense moment at sea turned into an alarming incident for Greta Thunberg and a convoy of pro-Palestinian activists when witnesses reported that one of their boats was set on fire by a drone.
The Swedish climate activist is part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a maritime mission delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza, carrying around 350 volunteers across the Mediterranean.
Drone Strikes the Family Boat
Yasemin Acar, an activist on board, shared a video on Instagram describing the attack:
“The Family boat has been officially attacked. A drone came right above it, released a bomb, and it exploded. The boat was on fire.
Everyone on that boat is okay. The fire is out, but this is the boat that Greta and many others are on.”
The flotilla insists the attack was aimed at intimidating them and disrupting their humanitarian mission, emphasizing that no one on board was injured.
International Response and Safety Measures
The Global Sumud Flotilla confirmed that the “Family Boat,” sailing under the Portuguese flag, was struck by a suspected drone.
All passengers and crew are safe, and an investigation is underway. The flotilla stated:
“Acts of aggression aimed at intimidating and derailing our mission will not deter us.
Our peaceful mission to break the siege on Gaza and stand in solidarity with its people continues with determination and resolve.”
Previous Drone Threats
The drone strike comes after multiple drones were spotted flying over the flotilla last week. Yasemin Acar explained:
“We have detected the first drones… Every boat right now in the flotilla has a drone above them.
We are watching them very closely, trying to figure out what they are here for.”
At the time of her Instagram video, the flotilla was about 90 nautical miles from Menorca, one of their Mediterranean waypoints.
Past Confrontation with Israel
This is not the first confrontation for Greta and her fellow activists.
In June, Israel deported Greta after the Madleen ship she was traveling on was intercepted by the Israeli military.
During that incident, drones were reportedly used to spray an irritant on the activists, affecting their eyes, before the ship was boarded.
Despite this, Greta has continued her activism and humanitarian efforts.
The Largest Attempt to Break the Gaza Blockade
The Global Sumud Flotilla, comprising about 20 boats and delegations from 44 countries, is said to be the largest attempt yet to challenge Israel’s 18-year blockade of Gaza by sea.
The convoy, carrying food, water, and medicine, departed Barcelona and plans to join additional vessels from Italy and Tunisia before reaching the Palestinian enclave.
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
The flotilla’s mission comes amid escalating humanitarian concerns in Gaza.
Israel’s military operations have limited access to food and basic supplies, especially in Gaza City.
Experts warn that half a million people are facing catastrophic levels of hunger, making the delivery of aid more urgent than ever.
Call for Safe Passage
Activists on board are calling for safe passage and the establishment of a humanitarian sea corridor to deliver their aid.
As the convoy navigates the Mediterranean, the flotilla continues to highlight the urgent need for assistance in the besieged territory, maintaining a peaceful but resolute stance in the face of threats.