Ship ablaze in Gaza waters: origins of blaze up for debate

Navigational Mission Global Sumud Flotilla Intends to Breach Israeli Maritime Embargo, Delivering Aid to the Coastal Strip Originated From Tunisia.

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2025 September 17 . 7:36 AM

2 min read

Ship ablaze in Gaza waters: origins of blaze under dispute

Ship ablaze in Gaza waters: origins of blaze up for debate

In a series of unexpected events, a fire broke out on a boat of the Global Sumud Flotilla, a fleet aiming to challenge the Israeli naval blockade of the Gaza Strip. The incident occurred in Tunisian waters, with the boat sailing under the Portuguese flag.

The fire, which occurred on September 1st, was reported by the Global Sumud Flotilla through videos posted on Instagram. The videos show a fireball falling onto the boat, causing damage on the main deck and in the hold. Fortunately, all six passengers and crew members are reported to be safe.

The incident has sparked controversy, with various parties offering their interpretations. Francesca Albanese, the independent UN rapporteur for the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel, has spoken out about the incident, expressing shock and calling for the incident to be verified. Israel has accused Albanese of lacking fairness and impartiality, a claim she has faced before, with the Trump administration imposing sanctions on her in July for alleged bias and anti-Semitism.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, with Tunisian authorities suggesting it may have originated from life jackets. However, an activist on board reported seeing a drone hovering above their heads, dropping an explosive device onto a pile of life jackets, which then exploded and started the fire. This claim has not been confirmed by Tunisian authorities, who have rejected the idea of a drone attack.

Tunisian authorities have also dismissed the allegations of a second drone attack on the ship in September 2025, with no organization publicly claiming responsibility or being officially identified as the perpetrator of the alleged attack.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, including Greta Thunberg, is currently on this historic fleet, which is the largest action of its kind so far. A Portuguese MP on board has called on all governments to protect the action.

Albanese, who accused Israel of genocide against the Palestinians in a report last year, has expressed her concern over the incident and urged for a thorough investigation. The investigation, however, remains confidential, according to organizers.

As the investigation continues, the international community awaits answers about the mysterious fire aboard the Gaza aid flotilla boat in Tunisian waters.