Greta Thunberg's Gaza aid boat burns after suspected drone attack

A boat heading to Gaza with climate activist Greta Thunberg on board has been set alight while sitting in port in Tunisia, after a suspected drone attack.

22-year-old Thunberg is one of 350 activists and humanitarian workers taking part in an attempt to break the restrictions on aid for the two million Palestinians currently under siege in Gaza, as part of the Global Sumud Flotilla of ships.

Images taken from the dock in Tunis show flames burning against the night sky on the lead 'Family' ship of the Gaza aid flotilla in the aftermath of the attack. This 'Family' ship carries the group's leading committee members, including the Swedish activist Greta Thunberg

Meanwhile, video captured aboard the vessel has shown the moment before the explosion rocked the aid ship, with the noise of drones captured on security cameras before a large explosion at the prow. Seconds later, voices can be heard screaming "help" and "we've been hit."

While there has been no confirmation of which nation carried out the suspected drone attack, many activists placed responsibility for the attack on the vessel, which was sailing under a Portuguese flag, at Israel's door.

Public flight data also showed two Israeli jets flying to Tunisia and returning after the explosion rocked Thunberg's aid flotilla. No casualties were reported in its wake, with the fire ultimately brought under control.

Previously, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who is sanctioned by the UK government, has threatened to throw 22-year-old Thunberg into a prison cell if she should attempt to break Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip and branded her a "terrorist."

The Global Sumud Flotilla confirmed the attack, which only caused minor damage, saying: "The boat was under the Portuguese flag and all passengers and crew are safe. An investigation is currently underway and when more information is available it will be released immediately.

"Acts of aggression aimed at intimidating and derailing our mission will not deter us. Our peaceful mission to break the siege on Gaza and stand in solidarity with its people continues with determination and resolve."

However, Tunisian authorities denied a foreign drone entering the country's airspace, telling local media that the flotilla's claims "have no basis in truth."

A famine was confirmed in the northern part of Gaza in late August, with UNICEF warning this week that starvation is now also widespread in the south, where children are the worst hit. 7,000 under-5s have been admitted for malnutrition recovery treatment in the past fortnight, according to Guardian reports.

Taking to the stage of a pro-Palestine rally in Tunisia on the day of the attack, activist Greta Thunberg told the crowd: "We all know why we are here. Just across the water there's a genocide going on, a mass starvation by Israel's murder machine."

More than 63,000 of Gaza's residents have been killed by Israel during the nearly two-year conflict, which followed the Hamas terror attack on communities bordering the territory's fence, killing 1,200 Israeli civilians.

One of the ship's activists, Yasemin Acar, posted on Instagram to share her recollection of the nighttime attack on the boat: "The Family boat has been officially attacked – a drone came right above it, released a bomb, and it exploded, and the boat was on fire. Everyone on that boat is ok. The fire is out.

"They have bombed a boat with civilians on it in Tunisian territory. This is an attack against Gaza because they don't want us there. So we need you to mobilise. Let's not stay quiet."

Acar had previously shared videos of drones apparently stalking the Global Sumud Flotilla as it made its way through the Mediterranean, where she claimed: "Every boat right now in the flotilla has a drone above them." The aid flotilla left Barcelona on Sunday, with the hopes of reaching Gaza by September 4.

The flotilla is due to be joined by other ships from ports across the region, with reinforcements from Italy and other parts of North Africa expected on the campaigners' journey to the occupied Palestinian territory.