CLAIMS that Greta Thunberg’s Gaza-bound flotilla has been hit by a drone “have no basis in truth”.
Tunisian authorities have hit back at the activist’s allegations, in which she has insisted her boat has come under attack.
EPAGreta Thunberg has claimed her Gaza-bound flotilla was hit by a drone[/caption]
In a dramatic video posted by fellow activist Yasemin Acar, she said: “The Family boat has been officially attacked – a drone came right above it, released a bomb, and it exploded, and the boat was on fire”.
“Everyone on that boat is ok. The fire is out,” she added.
The video posted to social media shows the aftermath of the fire.
Houcem Eddine Jebabli, a spokesperson from the Tunisian National Guard, said: “No drones have been detected”.
“According to preliminary findings, a fire broke out in the life jackets on board,” he added.
The claims were further dismissed as “completely unfounded” and had “no basis in truth”, according to a statement posted to the national guard’s Facebook page.
Despite Tunisian claims, Francesca Albanese – the United Nations’ Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories – said: “We would not be surprised if it was Israel”.
“We do not know who carried out the attack,” she said.
“If confirmed [to be Israel], it is an attack against Tunisian sovereignty,” she added.
Thunberg is part of a controversial convoy of around 350 activists and aid workers sailing to Gaza.
The group described their journey as a “peaceful mission”, aiming to deliver supplies to Palestinians.
However, overnight reports have emerged that one of the vessels was attacked “by a drone”.
The dubbed “Family boat”, flying under a Portuguese flag and carrying members of the flotilla’s Steering Committee, including Greta, caught fire off the North African coast.
The ship – which was in Tunisian waters at the time of the fire – carried many of the same people detained with Greta in June, on a previous attempt to reach Gaza.
“They have bombed a boat with civilians on it in Tunisian territory,” she said.
“This is an attack against Gaza because they didn’t want us there.
“So we need you to mobilise. Let’s not stay quiet,” she added.
The fire on the boat only caused minor damage.
The Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) – the group behind the mission – confirmed the alleged attack.
In a statement, they said: “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,” they continued.
The group said an investigation had been launched.
“When more information is available it will be released immediately,” they added.
“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.”
No nation has claimed responsibility for the attack, however Israel has described the flotilla’s volunteers as “terrorists”, warning they would be arrested if they continued to attempt to breach the naval blockade.
In Tunisia on Sunday, speaking to a crowd of cheering people in the port of Sidi Bou Said, Thunberg said: “We all know why we are here”.
“Just across the water there’s a genocide going on, a mass starvation by Israel’s murder machine,” she said.
The alleged attack comes just one week after multiple drones were spotted flying over the Global Sumud Flotilla.
In another social media post, Acar said: “We have detected the first drones, from what we can tell and the information we are getting, every boat right now in the flotilla has a drone above them”.
The video was posted as the flotilla was around 90 nautical miles from the Spanish island Menorca.
Acar continued: “We are watching them very closely trying to figure out which drones they are and what they are here form” she said.
In June, Greta attempetd a similar mission and was deported by Israel with 11 other activists, after being stopped by the Israeli military.
Israel had been accused of using drones to spray an irritant substance on Greta’s flotilla before boarding the Madleen and detaining the activists.
Images released from the arrests showed the boat deck splattered with an unidentified white liquid.
Acar was also on board the Madleen in June, and said the liquid had been deployed by Israel.
She also claimed it had affected her eyes.
Despite their June deportations, both activists have given no indication of relent, both taking part in the flotilla to deliver humanitarian aid to bombarded Palestinians.
More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online
Thesun.co.uk is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thesun and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.
Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
