Activists of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition Report Drone Attack on Gaza Aid Ship

Activists from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition announced that their humanitarian ship, "The Conscience," was attacked by drones off the Maltese coast while en route to Gaza to challenge the ongoing blockade. The Maltese government reported that while the crew managed to control a fire onboard, there were no casualties. The NGO has accused Israel of orchestrating the attack, amid escalating violence in the region.

Activists associated with the Freedom Flotilla Coalition have reported a harrowing incident involving their aid ship, "The Conscience," which was allegedly attacked by drones early Friday morning in international waters off the coast of Malta. The military-style assault, occurring at 00:23 local time (22:23 GMT), prompted the crew to send out an SOS distress signal immediately after the incident, indicating a significant threat to their mission.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition has stated that they intended to challenge what they termed Israel's "illegal siege and blockade" on Gaza through this voyage. According to official statements from the Maltese government, the fire sparked aboard the ship has been brought under control, and local authorities are currently monitoring the vessel. Although the government mentioned that there were 12 crew members and four activists on board, the NGO claims that around 30 activists were present during the attack.

The coalition has pointed fingers at Israel, suggesting that the country is responsible for this violation of international law, especially in light of the current blockade and military aggressions affecting civilian shipping. The Israeli military has acknowledged the reports and is investigating the alleged attack.

In response to the SOS signal, Cyprus sent a vessel to assist, but the Freedom Flotilla Coalition stated that the aid was inadequate, particularly in providing the critical electrical support required to ensure the ship's safety. The attack reportedly damaged the ship's generator, leaving it without power and vulnerable to sinking, about 17 nautical miles (31.5 kilometers) from Malta.

This troubling incident unfolds against the backdrop of heightened hostilities in the region, especially after Israel tightened its blockade on Gaza two months ago, which resulted in a severe humanitarian crisis. Since the resumption of military operations following an intense cross-border attack on October 7, 2023, the conflict has escalated dramatically, resulting in significant loss of life and exacerbating the plight of civilians in Gaza. According to health ministry reports from Hamas, over 52,418 individuals have died amid the ongoing conflict.