Overview

• Organizers say the Family/Barco Familiar, flying a Portuguese flag and berthed in Sidi Bou Said, caught fire after an object struck from above, with no injuries and only superficial damage reported.
• Video shared by the Global Sumud Flotilla purports to show the moment of impact, the group says an investigation is underway, and calls for protection as additional vessels head to Tunisia.
• Tunisia’s National Guard and Interior Ministry deny any external attack, stating the blaze started in lifejackets on board and may have been caused by a cigarette or lighter, and they report no drones in the area.
• Participants include Greta Thunberg, Ada Colau and Mandla Mandela, and local supporters gathered overnight at the port to watch over the boats as organizers discuss a possible Wednesday departure.
• Israel has said it will prevent the convoy from reaching Gaza; the mission aims to deliver humanitarian aid and challenge the blockade, following earlier reports this year of a drone strike near Malta and an Israeli interception in June, and a UN special rapporteur called for protection while not assigning responsibility.