Activists Report Drone Attack on Aid Ship Off Malta's Coast

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition claims its ship, The Conscience, was attacked by drones early Friday, prompting an SOS. The Maltese government confirmed a fire on board but reported no casualties, while the coalition accused Israel of orchestrating the incident amidst ongoing tensions in Gaza.

Activists from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition reported that their aid ship, The Conscience, was intercepted by drones while navigating international waters approximately 17 nautical miles from Malta during the early hours of Friday. The incident occurred at 00:23 local time (22:23 GMT) resulting in the crew issuing an SOS distress signal immediately following the attack. The coalition's mission aimed to deliver aid and confront what they describe as Israel's illegal siege and blockade of Gaza.

In response, the Maltese authorities stated that the fire caused by the attack was "brought under control overnight," with no casualties reported. The government mentioned that there were 12 crew members and four activists on board, although the NGO claims a total of 30 activists were present at the time of the incident. The coalition has since indicated their suspicion that Israel was behind the drone strikes, demanding that Israeli ambassadors be called upon to address this alleged violation of international law, which includes the ongoing blockade and direct assault on their vessel.

The Israeli military confirmed they were investigating the reports of the attack. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition shared footage of the fire onboard but did not provide details on any injuries. The coalition noted that the drone assault appeared to damage the ship's generator, leaving it without power and at risk of sinking. A nearby Cyprus vessel responded to the SOS request, but assistance was described as inadequate for addressing the ongoing electrical failure.

The heightened conflict follows Israel's recent closure of all crossings to Gaza, which has severely limited the entry of food, fuel, and medical supplies into the region. The renewed military operations against Hamas were triggered by a significant cross-border attack on October 7, 2023, which claimed about 1,200 lives and resulted in the abduction of 251 individuals. Since then, the situation has escalated, with the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza reporting a staggering 52,418 fatalities amid the ongoing hostilities.