A group of activists organizing a humanitarian aid mission for Gaza reported that their vessel, the “Conscience,” was attacked by drones in international waters off Malta. The incident occurred early Friday morning as the ship was en route to deliver aid to the Palestinian territory. Activists from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition accused Israeli forces of carrying out the attack, claiming that two drone strikes targeted the front of the unarmed vessel, resulting in a fire and a significant breach in the hull.
In response to a distress call from the vessel, the Maltese government stated that it provided immediate support, including dispatching a tugboat that arrived quickly on the scene to assist with firefighting operations. Authorities confirmed that all crew members were safe, but they did not address the allegations of an attack by Israeli drones.
The activists asserted that the strike appeared to specifically target the boat’s generator and criticized the perceived inaction of the international community. They called for Israeli representatives to be summoned to account for what they described as violations of international law, citing the ongoing blockade of Gaza and the attack on their civilian vessel.
Following the distress signal, the activists indicated that another vessel may have been sent from Cyprus to assist, though this has yet to be confirmed by Cypriot officials. The mission was characterized as a desperate attempt to challenge what they described as Israel’s illegal and deadly siege of Gaza, which has severely restricted aid deliveries since early March.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached critical levels, with the Red Cross warning that the response is on the “verge of total collapse” due to the blockade and renewed military operations. Reports indicate a devastating toll from the ongoing conflict, with the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza stating that over 2,300 individuals have died since Israel resumed strikes in the region.
The activists drew parallels to previous humanitarian missions, notably referencing the tragic events surrounding the Mavi Marmara in 2010, where Israeli forces stormed the vessel, resulting in fatalities and injuries among those on board. Condemnations of the drone attack came from both Hamas and the Palestine Liberation Organization, highlighting the severe implications of the incident on the already volatile humanitarian landscape in Gaza.
