A ship bound for Gaza, carrying humanitarian aid and activists, was reportedly bombed by drones in international waters near Malta early on Friday. The organisers, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, an international non-governmental group, alleged that Israel was responsible for the attack. The Israeli foreign ministry did not comment on the allegation.
The Maltese government confirmed that the vessel and its crew were secured in the early morning hours after a nearby tugboat assisted with firefighting operations. Turkey’s foreign ministry reported that Turkish citizens were aboard the ship during the incident and coordinated with Maltese authorities to transfer them to safety.
The ministry strongly condemned the attack on the civilian ship, referencing allegations that Israeli drones were involved. It stated that efforts would be made to uncover details of the incident and hold those responsible accountable.
Swedish activist Greta Thunberg mentioned to Reuters that she was in Malta and had intended to join the Freedom Flotilla’s effort supporting Gaza, which is under an ongoing blockade and bombardment by Israel.
The NGO released video footage taken in darkness, showing a fire on one of its vessels, the Conscience. The footage included lights in the sky and sounds of explosions. The NGO called for Israeli ambassadors to be summoned to address violations of international law, including the blockade of Gaza and the attack on the civilian vessel in international waters.
The Maltese government said maritime authorities received a mayday call shortly after midnight local time from a vessel outside Maltese territorial waters, reporting a fire with 12 crew members and four civilians on board. A nearby tugboat initiated firefighting operations, and a Maltese patrol vessel was dispatched. The vessel and its crew were eventually secured, although the crew refused to board the tug.
According to a United Nations aid official, conflicts are arising over limited supplies in Gaza as Israel’s blockade has continued for two months. Olga Cherevko, an aid worker with the UN humanitarian office in Gaza City, stated that supplies are nearly exhausted, with food stocks largely depleted. Meanwhile, the Red Cross warned that the humanitarian situation in Gaza was nearing “total collapse.”
