The global Smood Fleet, a civil-led mission to break Israel’s Navy Blockade in Gaza, faced suspicions of two drone attacks in Tunisian waters this week, sparking international condemnation and diplomatic pressure on Israel.
On Monday, layered families in Portugal (activists including Greta Samberg and European lawmakers) were hit by agitators. A day later, British flapping Alma was hit by a fire while being docked by Sidibou. No victims have been reported.
Speaking on the fleet off Tunisia, Samberg called the mission “a marathon, not a sprint,” praised the volunteers who reorganized after the June interception. She said that giving up effort would mean “lost our humanity.”
UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese called the incident a “test for humanity” and warned that the state’s liability demonstrated “immunity and fear.” Tunisian authorities have launched an investigation after being labeled the attack as “deliberate aggression.”
In a statement, UN experts urged Israel to stop the threat to the fleet and said attempts to block it would violate international law. Italy has formally warned Israel to respect the rights of citizens on board after Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani raised the issue with Israeli Gideon Saar.
Despite the strike, participants remained determined. “We are definitely sailing to Gaza, nothing is hindering us,” said Irish activist Tara Rayner O’Grady.
Named in the Arabic word for “still,” the fleet, which includes volunteers from 44 countries, aims to provide symbolic aid to Gaza’s hunger population, taking in the biggest maritime challenge to lockdown since the fatal 2010 attack on Mabi Marmara.