By Tarek Amara
TUNIS (Reuters) -Tunisia mentioned on Wednesday the “assault” on a ship at Sidi Bou Mentioned port was “orchestrated,” after the World Sumud Flotilla, getting ready to ship help to Gaza, reported one in every of its boats was attacked by a drone within the second such strike in two days.
GSF is ready to sail for Gaza in an effort to interrupt Israel’s naval blockade, following two nights of drone assaults on key vessels within the convoy which organisers described as deliberate makes an attempt by Israel to disrupt the mission.
The Israeli army didn’t reply to a request for remark.
There have been no accidents, and civil safety authorities introduced a hearth on the boat below management on Wednesday evening.
The Tunisian inside Ministry, which didn’t accuse any occasion or nation, mentioned in a press release that it was conducting investigations into the drone assault.
The United Nations’ Particular Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, advised Reuters on Tuesday “it’s an assault towards Tunisian sovereignty.”
Earlier on Wednesday, 1000’s of Tunisians gathered on the picturesque seaside of Sidi Bou Mentioned to assist pro-Palestinian activists on the boats, one of many greatest flotillas but to set sail for Gaza.
The flotilla, which incorporates a whole lot of activists and dozens of boats, is supported by delegations from 44 nations, together with Swedish activist Greta Thunberg and Portuguese left-wing politician Mariana Mortagua.
Israel has maintained a blockade on the coastal enclave since Hamas seized management of Gaza in 2007, saying it’s wanted to forestall weapons smuggling.
The blockade has remained in place by way of the present struggle, which started when Hamas attacked southern Israel in October 2023, killing 1,200 and taking about 250 hostages, Israeli tallies confirmed.
Israel’s subsequent army assault towards Hamas has killed over 64,000 Palestinians, Gaza’s well being ministry has mentioned, whereas a worldwide starvation monitor mentioned a part of the enclave is affected by famine.
Israel sealed off Gaza by land in early March, letting in no provides for 3 months, resulting in the widespread scarcity of meals. Israel has mentioned Hamas was diverting the help.
(Reporting by Tarek Amara, writing by Yomna Ehab; Enhancing by Sonali Paul)