Drones 'shadow' Gaza-bound Sumud Flotilla in the Mediterranean, activists urge regional protests

Surveillance drones hovered over the Sumud flotilla as it slipped out of Tunisian waters this week, activists say, renewing warnings of further attacks and urging people across the region to take to the streets in support of ending the blockade on Gaza. 

Late on Tuesday, 16 September, the Sumud—one of the last boats in the Maghreb delegation of the Global Sumud Flotilla—left Sidi Bou Said, a coastal town north of Tunis. 

On board, about a dozen participants spent the night finalising paperwork before setting off to join the convoy in international waters.

The flotilla is nearly 30 boats strong so far. The fleet carries several hundred participants from more than 44 countries, including activists, journalists, and public figures such as Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and Mandla Mandela, grandson of Nelson Mandela.

After days of weather delays, vessels began leaving Tunisian ports late Monday and early Tuesday, heading toward Malta, where 17 boats from Sicily are expected to join them.

"It was a hard night. It was windy. But we're close to Malta, where we will meet with other boats to continue our journey to Gaza", said Tunisian activist Wael Naouar, speaking from the Deir Yassine boat.

Naouar, one of the Maghreb flotilla's organisers, said drones trailed the boats throughout the night, though no attack followed. 

The mission, officially launched from Barcelona on 31 August, had already faced two drone strikes that organisers blamed on Israel.

Tunisian authorities initially dismissed reports of the attacks, suggesting instead that a cigarette lighter had sparked a fire aboard one vessel. 

After a second strike, officials admitted the flotilla had been hit in a "premeditated attack," though they did not name those responsible.

One of the targeted boats, the Family, was to carry the flotilla's steering committee and several prominent passengers, including Thunberg and French-Palestinian MEP Rima Hassan.

For activists who had gathered in Tunis since 7 September, Tuesday's departure was a relief after days of uncertainty and pressure. 

"There seemed to be huge pressure from entities that didn't want this mission to succeed," said Moroccan activist Ahmed Ouihmane, who joined the fleet. 

Controversy around the flotilla's expenses

The Global Sumud Flotilla is the latest attempt to break Israel's blockade of Gaza. 

Earlier this summer, two ships from the Freedom Flotilla were intercepted in international waters by Israeli forces, with passengers detained and expelled. 

Israel has scuppered numerous attempts over the 15 years of the blockade, including a 2010 boarding by its special forces in which at least nine Turkish activists were killed.

The mission has stirred excitement and pride in the North African country, where people prayed and chanted in tears, sending the largest Gaza-bound aid fleet in history. 

However, it has unsettled some of President Kais Saied's allies. 

Riadh Jrad, a media figure near the presidency, accused organisers and sympathetic outlets of "harming the Tunisian state" and undermining its institutions.

MP Fatma Mseddi demanded an inquiry into the flotilla's financing. Activists have promised to share all details about their expenses. 

Organisers have sought to avoid clashing with their critics, consistently thanking Tunisian authorities for their support. 

Ultimately, many activists on board assumed it would be nearly impossible to launch the initiative from anywhere else in the region.

Earlier this summer, Haftar-aligned authorities blocked the Sumud (previously known as "Somoud") land convoy from crossing into Egypt on its way to the Rafah crossing. 

Egyptian authorities also arrested and deported hundreds who attempted to march to the border with Gaza.

"I forgive whoever smeared us and spurred accusations against us. We have to stay united behind our main goal, reaching our people in Gaza," Naouar said.

Flotilla activists call for protests 

In total, about 50 vessels intend to sail toward Gaza together, forming an international coalition with a unified humanitarian mission: challenge the ongoing blockade and provide much-needed aid to Gaza.

Since March, Israel has sealed all crossings into Gaza, blocking food, medicine, and humanitarian relief. 

Aid convoys have piled up at the borders as the enclave faces what aid agencies describe as a man-made famine. Israel occasionally allows limited quantities of supplies to enter, far below what is needed.

The flotilla organisers estimate the voyage could take up to two weeks, with additional boats expected to join from Greece. 

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has already threatened to detain participants in "terrorist prisons" for extended periods.

Whether the Sumud will reach Gaza remains uncertain. Yet for many aboard, the flotilla is activists' last resort to push for ending a genocide that is about to mark its second year this October amid governments' inaction.

"Governments won't do anything. Most governments are complicit, making empty statements or hiding in the sand", Naouar said. 

"People are the ones who have the power. Protest, threaten to oust your governments if they don't take action. We call on our people to speak up, especially in Jordan and Egypt," added the activist in a video he posted on Facebook.