Gaza aid flotilla is hit by second drone attack against one of its ships

A second drone attack on Tuesday night hit one of the ships that make up the Global Sumud Flotilla, which is attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea, break the Israeli blockade and bring aid to Gaza, where over half a million people are experiencing famine according to a new U.N.-backed food security report.

The strike, caught on video, affected a vessel called the Alma, flying the British flag, which was docked in front of the port of Tunis in Tunisia. On this occasion, at least one of the crew members was standing near the spot where the drone struck. Nobody was injured and only minor damage to the boat was reported.

The attack was very similar to the one that had taken place just 24 hours earlier against the Family Boat, which was carrying the steering committee and the best-known members of the Global Sumud Flotilla, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and former Barcelona mayor Ada Colau.

Tunisian police, who had claimed that the first incident was likely caused by a life jacket catching fire rather than an attack, arrived at the scene on Tuesday. Witnesses at the port said they had seen other drones flying over the area, including one belonging to the Tunisian Coast Guard. Due to fears of further attacks, security was increased and several organizers spent the night at the port. An investigation has been launched.

“This is the second attack of this kind in two days. These attacks come amid intensified Israeli aggression against Palestinians in Gaza and are an attempt to distract and derail our mission,” the organization said. They added that the Global Sumud Flotilla “remains undeterred” and assured that the mission to break the Israeli blockade and bring humanitarian aid to Gaza “continues with determination and resolve.”

Following the first attack, the fleet’s steering committee met with participants on Tuesday to remind them of the protocols on how to act in such situations, and asked them to take extreme precautions.

“Their sole objective is to stop the more than 250 people from 45 countries who are traveling to Gaza with humanitarian aid. It is the same attempt at psychological warfare,” said Saif Abukeshek, one of the organizers of the Global Sumud Flotilla, speaking from the port. “What can you expect from a country that bombs hospitals and schools, and kills children?” he added.

The mood among the participants in the mission is mixed. Some, such as the Irish activist Tara Sheehy, acknowledged after the first attack that it is a way of reminding all participants of the risk they are taking by embarking on this flotilla. “It is a show of force by one of the largest armies in the world, and they have chosen to do so at a moment of weakness, due to our accumulated fatigue.” However, she also added that it is an opportunity for activists to “close ranks” and show Israel that they will not be stopped.

Others, such as Sami Al Soos, a 57-year-old Palestinian currently residing in Bristol, U.K., said that this comes as no surprise. “For a state that is committing genocide, this means nothing,” he said. He also said that he is not afraid of further attacks and argued that humanitarian and international law protects them, which makes him feel even more determined to continue with the mission.

According to official plans, the fleet was scheduled to depart from Tunisia on Wednesday, but the incidents of the last two days and mechanical issues could delay departure by around 24 hours.

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