Tunisian Interior Ministry: Attack on Ship of the "Sumud" Fleet Was "Premeditated"

SadaNews - The Tunisian Ministry of Interior announced that the attack on a ship belonging to the "Sumud" fleet at the port of Sidi Bou Said was "premeditated," after the vessel was attacked by a drone in the second assault within two days.

This fleet is part of an international relief initiative aimed at delivering aid to the Gaza Strip and attempting to break the Israeli naval blockade imposed on the area since 2007, especially during the Israeli war on Gaza since October 7, 2023.

The fleet organizers confirmed that the drone attacks are deliberate attempts by Israel to obstruct their mission, noting that no injuries occurred and that the Tunisian authorities managed to control the fire that broke out on the boat on Wednesday evening.

The Ministry of Interior stated that investigations are ongoing to identify the parties responsible for planning and execution, assuring that the results will be presented to the public both inside and outside Tunisia.

On Wednesday morning, the largest ship in the "Sumud" fleet heading to Gaza was attacked by an incendiary drone off the Tunisian coast for the second time in less than 24 hours.

UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese affirmed that the attack will not hinder the fleet's mission, praising the efforts of those involved in the humanitarian initiative aimed at supporting the besieged population of Gaza.

The ships continue their journey as part of an international initiative aimed at breaking the Israeli naval blockade on the territory and delivering urgent humanitarian aid to its residents.

It is worth noting that the "Sumud" fleet, which includes hundreds of activists and dozens of boats, enjoys support from delegations from 44 countries, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and Portuguese leftist politician Mariana Mortágua.

The Gaza Strip is suffering from the effects of the ongoing Israeli blockade, as the latest military assault on the area led to the martyrdom of tens of thousands, while the region is also undergoing starvation, according to a global hunger monitor. Israel has closed the area land-wise since March 2025, preventing supplies from entering for several months, resulting in the martyrdom of hundreds due to starvation and malnutrition.