A New Zealander on board a boat participating in an aid flotilla bound for Gaza says they've been attacked by drones in international waters.
Earlier this month, a flotilla of 70 boats set sail from Europe carrying humanitarian aid, seeking to break the Israeli naval blockade of the Palestinian territory.
Sam Leason, the 18-year-old New Zealander on board one of the boats, says nine boats have been bombed with some kind of flammable liquid in the Mediterranean Sea.
He told Checkpoint the boat he was on was in the middle of the Mediterranean ocean "the furthest possible part away from land basically, in international waters".
He had awoken four hours before speaking to Checkpoint on Wednesday afternoon, to start his night shift and discovered "everything was on" with dozens of drones flying around.
"I think nine boats got hit by bombs and other liquids ... flammable liquids. I think 12 different things were dropped on nine different boats. ...It was red alert, all crazy, it was a pretty scary time."
It was pitch dark during the attacks but he was in no doubt it was drones that were responsible.
Sam Leason posted video on Instagram describing the "crazy" drone attacks. Photo: Instagram / Sam Leason
Leason said there had been a couple of drone attacks while the flotilla was in Tunisia. They caused fires and the liquid in the missiles was being tested to establish what it was.
He said the main aim of the drone attacks seemed to be to slow things down and scare the sailors rather than actually injure them.
The Kiwi said he was taking part in the flotilla because children were being bombed in Gaza and the New Zealand government wasn't doing enough to deter Israel.
He was scared but it didn't compare to what Gazans were enduring on a daily basis.
The flotilla was getting closer to Greece where it would link up with other boats with the intention of not setting foot on land until they reached Gaza.
From there aid would be distributed and while it would be a risky operation it shouldn't be because "what we're doing is completely legal".
"So if Israel did try to bomb us or try to stop us in some way then what they'd be doing would be completely illegal and wrong.
"I hope that our government would ensure there's retributions for that."
MFAT should be looking out for anyone taking part in the flotilla rather than warning them off going to the area.
Members were trying to deliver humanitarian aid to a starving people.
He said he had the support of his parents - they were activists although they would be a little bit worried.
RNZ understands at least two New Zealanders are taking part in the flotilla.
New Zealand Palestinian Yousef Sammour told Saturday Morning he was on one of the boats and he hoped the mission would pave the way for a a humanitarian corridor.
Youssef Sammour is on the right. Photo: SUPPLIED/Youssef Sammour
One NZ family contacts MFAT over flotilla member
MFAT has been contacted by the family of one New Zealander on the flotilla but said it wouldn't be providing any further information.
A spokesperson from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said the ministry was aware of reports that drones have been attacking some boats participating in the Global Sumud Flotilla.
"New Zealand has a long-standing 'do not travel' advisory in place for Gaza. The advisory explicitly warns New Zealanders against any attempt to enter Gaza by sea in breach of Israeli navy restrictions, including participation in flotillas to deliver aid."
MFAT would continue to monitor the situation. It expected any New Zealanders in the flotilla to be treated in a manner consistent with international law and has communicated this directly to Israel.
The first vessel, Sirius, of a civilian flotilla, carrying pro-Palestinian activists and humanitarian aid and aiming to break the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip, leaves the Barcelona port on September 1, 2025. Photo: AFP / Lluis Gene
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
