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IRISH CITIZENS ON a Gaza-bound flotilla struck by drones this week will continue to attempt to reach the territory despite warnings of further danger.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, which arrived in Tunisia over the weekend before it set off to attempt to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza, reported that two of its boats were hit by separate suspected drone attacks while anchored off Sidi Bou Said port.
The flotilla is made up of around 36 ships and between 500 and 700 activists from more than 40 countries and is estimated to be transporting around 300 tons of essential supplies, such as food, drinking water, and medicine.
At least five Irish participants were aboard the two flotilla boats targeted by drones, including Belfast activist Fra Hughes, Limerick campaigner Tara Reynor O’Grady and Cork comedian and activist Tadhg Hickey.
On Monday night, one flotilla vessel anchored off the coast of Sidi Bou Said port reported a fire after being struck by what organisers believe was an incendiary device dropped from a drone.
Footage appears to back this claim up – a flaming device can be seen plummeting towards the boat in CCTV footage.
Less than 24 hours later, the British-flagged Alma with Hughes, O’Grady and Hickey on board was also damaged by fire in Tunisian waters following another suspected drone strike.
No injuries were reported in either incident, but both vessels sustained damage.
UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese said video footage from the Alma suggested a drone had dropped an incendiary device designed to ignite on impact.
Tunisian authorities initially said “no drones” were detected, and the country’s coast guard initially suggested that a cigarette has caused the fire. Local security sources later described the incidents as “premeditated attacks” and said the drones could have been launched locally.
Hickey, who was below deck when the Alma was hit, described the moments when alarms sounded on board.
“I’d ended my night watch, and one of the girls here had taken over from me, and then I heard her on the walkie-talkie saying ‘that’s a drone’,” he told The Journal.
“By the time she’d seen it, one of the crew upstairs had seen it too, and the alarm went off. Next thing I knew, whatever device had been dropped.
I just saw the flash above. It was on fire before it even hit the deck.
He said it appeared to have been aimed at a crew member on deck.
“It did feel like a targeted attack. One crew member was upstairs and it felt like it was dropped at him, to try and hit him. He was in the firing line.”
Tunisian security forces have since deployed military officers with anti-drone technology to protect the flotilla.
Hickey, a passionate pro-Palestinian activist, said the attacks had only strengthened resolve on board.
“We’re very well trained at this point. A lot of people here have been doing this for a long time, and they’re more determined than ever. These attacks are just distractions.”
He acknowledged the toll on families of activists at home in Ireland, whom he said are “worried sick”.
“It’s unsettling for family and friends, because when you’re not here, you can’t contextualise it. My partner, children and my sister support what I’m doing, but cracks are starting to appear among extended family,” Hickey said.
“People are going, ‘We just want you to come home alive.’ And of course, that’s exactly the aim of whoever carried out the attack – to sow fear and doubt. It’s gotten to people at home, but the people aboard here are almost more determined now.”
Flotilla activists have not pointed the blame at Israel for the suspected attacks but said in a statement yesterday that “they come during intensified Israeli aggression on Palestinians in Gaza, and are an orchestrated attempt to distract and derail our mission”.
Hickey added that while some damage had been sustained aboard the Alma, the boat is still seaworthy.
More vessels from Spain, Italy, and Egypt are expected to join the flotilla en route to Gaza.
Organisers stressed the mission is entirely peaceful, and Hickey said that this was their “shield” from further attacks.
“The flotilla is non-violent,” Hickey said.
“What we’re bringing is humanitarian aid – baby formula, food. We’re travelling in international waters. Our protection is international law. We’re lawful humanitarians.”
Tánaiste Simon Harris this week condemned the reported attacks, calling them a “clear breach of international law” and confirming that the Department of Foreign Affairs is providing consular support to Irish citizens.
The mission, which activists say is intended to break Israel’s blockade and establish a humanitarian corridor, comes as the UN warns of famine conditions for more than half a million people in Gaza.
The flotilla is expected to take seven to eight days to reach Gaza.
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