The Gaza-bound “Freedom Flotilla” boat has caught fire after a “drone attack” off the coast of north Africa. The flotilla’s Portuguse-flagged “Family” — with Greta Thunberg and steering committee members of the group — was hit in a drone strike at around midnight, UK time, according to activist Yasemin Acar.
“The Family boat has been attacked. A drone came right above it, released a bomb and it exploded and the boat was on fire,” Ms Acar said. “Everyone on that boat is okay. The fire is out.”
Yasemin Acar labelled the drone strike an “attack against Gaza.” “They have bombed a boat with civilians on it in Tunisian territorial waters,” she said.
On Instagram, the Palestinian solidarity activist said: “This is an attack against Gaza because they don’t want us there. So we need you to mobilize. Let’s not stay quiet.” In another furious Instagram post, she added: “Zionist entity committing crimes in Tunisian territory.”
The Global Sumud Flotilla, organizing the activists’ summer journey to the Middle East, said in a statement: “‘The Global Sumud Flotilla confirms that one of the main boats, known as the ‘Family Boat’ – that was carrying GSF Steering Committee members – was struck by what is suspected to be a drone. “The boat was under the Portuguese flag and all passengers and crew are safe.
“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.”
Another member of the crew, Ahmed Eldin, said the mission was to “stop and prevent Israel from committing genocide in Gaza.” His statement came mere hours after the British Government claimed that the Jewish state was not carrying out a “genocide.”
In one of David Lammy’s final acts as Foreign Secretary, the new Deputy Prime Minister confirmed to the International Development Committee last week: “The crime of genocide occurs only where there is specific ‘intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group.’ “The Government has not concluded that Israel is acting with that intent,” Lammy wrote.
He added: “To date, the ICJ has neither found that Israel has breached its obligations under the Geneva Convention, nor ruled on the plausibility of Israel committing genocide.”
The fleet left Barcelona, Spain just days ago as part of the “largest solidarity mission” in history.
