Ship Heading to Gaza Attacked by Drones in International Waters, Say Activists
In a startling development, activists from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition have claimed that their ship, The Conscience, was attacked by drones in international waters off the coast of Malta early Friday morning. The vessel was reportedly on its way to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza, with high-profile figures like climate activist Greta Thunberg expected to join the journey.
The group stated that the incident occurred at 12:23 AM local time, after which the ship immediately sent out an SOS distress signal. A fire broke out on board and was later brought under control by Maltese authorities. Fortunately, all those on board were confirmed safe.
Accusations and Reactions
While the Israeli military has not confirmed any involvement, the NGO pointed fingers at Israel, alleging a violation of international law and calling for Israeli ambassadors to be summoned over the incident.
The group also shared a video showing flames engulfing part of the ship, claiming the drone strike targeted the generator, disabling power and putting the vessel at risk of sinking. The ship remains in international waters as of now, reportedly unable to move due to the risk of taking on water.
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Greta Thunberg Speaks Out
Speaking from Valletta, Malta, Greta Thunberg confirmed she was among those scheduled to board the ship for its Gaza-bound mission. She described the drone attack as a deliberate attempt to disrupt a peaceful, humanitarian initiative aimed at breaking Israel’s blockade on the Palestinian territory.
“We were trying to open up a humanitarian corridor,” she said, “but the drone strike caused an explosion and serious damage to the vessel, making the mission impossible.”
Despite the attack, Thunberg reaffirmed her support for the cause, saying:
“We will continue to demand a free Palestine and push for humanitarian access to Gaza.”
Conflicting Reports on Numbers
There are some discrepancies in reports regarding how many people were on the vessel. According to the Maltese government, there were 12 crew members and four activists on board. However, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition claims that as many as 30 activists were present.
The Maltese government also stated that by 2:13 AM, all individuals on board were accounted for and safe. However, they declined to board the rescue tugboat dispatched to the scene. A vessel from Cyprus also responded to the SOS, but activists say it lacked the power support required to restore the ship’s operations.
Gaza’s Deepening Humanitarian Crisis
The flotilla was part of a broader campaign to challenge Israel’s long-standing blockade of Gaza, a policy that’s drawing increasing global criticism. Foreign ministers from the UK, France, and Germany have all recently described Israel’s decision to block humanitarian aid to Gaza as “intolerable.”
Following a deadly Hamas-led attack on 7 October 2023, which killed 1,200 people in Israel and led to 251 hostages being taken, Israel launched a military campaign aimed at destroying the militant group. Since then, Gaza has been under near-total siege, with all border crossings shut and aid halted for weeks.
The World Food Programme has reported it has run out of food stocks, and community kitchens say they are dangerously low on supplies. On Friday, the Red Cross warned that the humanitarian response in Gaza is on the brink of collapse.
According to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza, over 52,000 people have been killed since the war began—highlighting the devastating toll on civilians amid ongoing airstrikes and ground operations.
What’s Next for the Flotilla?
Though the current mission appears halted due to the damage caused, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition said it remains committed to its goal of challenging Israel’s blockade through peaceful means. The group has called on the international community to hold Israel accountable and to support efforts to establish a humanitarian corridor for Palestinians in Gaza.
Whether the attack will spark broader diplomatic fallout or change international maritime protocols remains to be seen. But one thing is clear—the struggle over access to Gaza’s population is intensifying, both on the seas and on the global stage.
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