Does a video circulating online show a crowd welcoming the arrival of the Samud Flotilla in Gaza? The short answer is no. This video, frequently shared and misconstrued, depicts a group of people gathered on the beach in Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia, not Gaza. The video’s origin and context have been thoroughly investigated, revealing it was filmed on September 10, 2025 – weeks before the Samud Flotilla was even scheduled to approach Gaza. The initial misrepresentation surfaced on X (now known as X, archived here) via a post by @Brandons__1 on October 2, 2025. The original caption falsely claimed, "The Mikeno landed on the beaches of Gaza," and asserted that the flotilla had broken the siege and reached the territory. This misleading narrative was further amplified on TikTok on September 27, 2025 (pictured below), where the caption, translated from Arabic, stated: "sumud flotilla arrived today at gaza # Praise be to Allah for the arrival of the delegation that came from all over the world #🍉🍉🍉🍉 #نحاء."

It’s crucial to understand that this video does not represent the actual arrival of the Samud Flotilla in Gaza. Instead, it captures a public demonstration of support for the flotilla’s mission, showcasing a significant gathering of individuals on the picturesque beach near two distinctive towers – Sidi Bou Said. To provide accurate context, a separate Reuters video (archived here) filmed on September 11, 2025, clearly demonstrates the scene: Thousands of Tunisian’s flocked to Sidi Bou Said beach near Tunis on Wednesday (September 10) to back the Global Sumud Flotilla, a convoy of boats carrying international activists set to sail toward Gaza. The flotilla’s goal was to attempt to sail towards the Strip in a major gesture of solidarity with Palestinians and an effort to challenge Israel's blockade of the enclave. Furthermore, another angle of the beach gathering in Tunisia appears in a video (embedded below) posted on Instagram on September 11, 2025. This layered information highlights the deliberate misrepresentation of the video and underscores the importance of verifying information, particularly concerning sensitive geopolitical events. The spread of inaccurate claims can have significant consequences, and it’s essential to rely on credible sources and critical analysis when evaluating news and social media content. This investigation aims to dispel the misinformation and provide a factual account of the events surrounding the Samud Flotilla’s intended voyage and the public’s response in Tunisia. Understanding the specific location – Sidi Bou Said, Tunisia – is paramount to correctly interpreting the video’s meaning and avoiding the trap of deceptive captions. The persistent sharing of this video underscores the need for robust fact-checking initiatives and media literacy education to combat the spread of disinformation.

The Global Sumud Flotilla’s mission was a bold act of solidarity, but it’s vital to present the facts accurately, separating the intended purpose from the misleading portrayal of a public gathering miles away.