Global Sumud Flotilla vessel comes under attack again

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: GSF
9 Sep 2025 23:16

The Global Sumud Flotilla confirmed that its largest vessel, the Alma, was struck by a drone in Tunisian waters, marking the second attack in two days.

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A fire blazes on the deck of the Alma, the largest vessel of the Global Sumud Flotilla, as it docks in Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia, on September 9, 2025. (Social media)

The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) confirmed that its flagship vessel, the Alma, came under attack late Tuesday night in Tunisian waters, sustaining fire damage to its top deck.

The ship, sailing under the British flag, caught fire after being struck by a drone, though crew members extinguished the flames. No injuries were reported.

A second drone attack targeted a vessel of the Global Sumud Flotilla in Sidi Bou Said. This time, an incendiary projectile impacted Alma, the largest vessel of the convoy.

Organizers said that crewmembers were able to put the fire out.

The vessels are on a humanitarian… pic.twitter.com/ybHxlKJCrx
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) September 9, 2025

The incident marks the second attack against the flotilla in two days. On Monday, another vessel docked in Tunisia was hit by an incendiary projectile, with CCTV footage confirming the attack.

In a statement, organizers condemned the assault, describing it as part of an effort to sabotage their humanitarian mission.

“These repeat attacks come during intensified Israeli aggression on Palestinians in Gaza, and are an orchestrated attempt to distract and derail our mission,” organizers said.

They added that the campaign to break "Israel’s" blockade “continues undeterred… with determination and resolve.”

UN Experts Condemn Threats

The attack follows warnings from UN human rights experts, who urged Israeli authorities to “cease all threats of harm” against the Global Sumud Flotilla and ensure the safety of its participants.

“Any attempt to block the flotilla would constitute a grave violation of international law and humanitarian principles,” the experts said, emphasizing that the effort stems from the international community’s failure to end "Israel’s" unlawful blockade of Gaza.

The flotilla, which set sail from Barcelona on August 31, consists of more than 50 ships carrying aid, including food and medicine, with activists from 44 countries. Additional vessels are scheduled to depart from Tunisia this week to join the mission.

UN experts also highlighted threats issued by Israeli officials, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who reportedly proposed detaining flotilla participants under harsh prison conditions and confiscating their ships. Such measures, they warned, would amount to “collective punishment, intimidation, and reprisals against human rights defenders.”

Gaza blockade in focus

The experts stressed that Gaza remains an occupied territory under international law and that "Israel’s" 17-year blockade constitutes collective punishment. They reiterated calls on governments to act to protect the flotilla and press "Israel" to immediately lift its restrictions.

“States must make clear that they will not tolerate Israel blocking humanitarian aid to a population facing starvation and genocide,” the experts said.