In the wake of a brazen drone attack against the flagship vessel of the Global Sumud Flotilla off the coast of Tunisia, organizers of the international solidarity mission reaffirmed their unwavering determination to sail towards Gaza and break the suffocating Israeli blockade.

At a large press conference held in front of the Tunis Theater Building, flotilla officials denounced the attack, describing it as yet another crime committed by the Israeli occupation regime to prevent humanitarian aid from reaching starving Palestinians. Despite the risks, the organizers underlined that their mission was not only alive but had gained renewed strength and global solidarity.

“Israel Shows Its True Criminal Face”

Saif Abukeshek, one of the chief coordinators of the Global Sumud Flotilla, declared that the drone strike was a clear reflection of the genocidal nature of Israel.

“We have been hearing threats and fabricated accusations against our crew under so-called terrorism laws. This attack proves once again the true nature of the apartheid regime. From the very beginning, we knew repression was likely. Yet we carry the heritage of decades of nonviolent civil disobedience. This is not just a mission at sea — it is part of building a global movement of solidarity that unites people of the Global South and North in resistance to colonialism and imperialism,” Abukeshek said.

He emphasized that Palestine today represents the last fortress standing against imperial plunder and colonial domination. “To stand with Palestinians is to stand with all oppressed peoples of the world. We cannot and will not give up,” he added.

“The Drone Dropped a Bomb on Our Ship”

Spanish activist Miguel Duarte, who personally witnessed the attack, described the shocking incident.

“I heard a drone hovering just meters above my head. It moved towards the life jackets and dropped a bomb, causing a huge flame and fire on board. We managed to extinguish the fire with extinguishers and, by God’s mercy, no one was hurt,” Duarte recounted.

He stressed that the flotilla would not be intimidated: “They tried to burn us alive, but our resolve burns brighter.”

“We Are Not the Story – Gaza Is the Story”

Brazilian activist Thiago Ávila reminded the world that the real focus must remain on Gaza’s besieged population.

“When people ask us if our mission will continue, we always respond: this is not about us. We are not the story. The story is the Palestinian people in Gaza, suffering decades of genocide and ethnic cleansing, trapped under an apartheid colonial state driven by Zionist racism,” Ávila stated.

He noted that in the past 17 years, 37 boats attempting to break the blockade had been intercepted or attacked. “We are the 38th vessel to face such aggression. But we will not stop. Because what we face is nothing compared to what Palestinians endure every single day under bombardment, starvation, and occupation.”

Ávila pointed out that thousands worldwide were now volunteering to join the mission after witnessing the drone attack. “They have drones, weapons, and violence. We have history, justice, and the solidarity of humanity on our side. That cannot be defeated.”

A Call to Global Mobilization

Both activists and organizers called on people everywhere to rise up in demonstrations, boycott Israeli products, expose the media blockade, and disrupt the arms trade fueling the genocide.

“This is a test for our generation,” Ávila said. “Breaking the siege of Gaza is not just a Palestinian duty — it is a task for all humanity.”

The flotilla, now regrouping in Tunisia with support from the Tunisian government and people, vowed to set sail again in the coming days. Its mission is clear: to break the criminal siege, to establish a humanitarian corridor, and to stand shoulder to shoulder with the steadfast people of Gaza against genocide. (ILKHA)