Humanitarian Ship Comes Under Mysterious Drone Attack En Route To Gaza Blockade

A humanitarian aid ship bound for Gaza was attacked by drones in international waters off Malta, leaving the vessel severely damaged but no casualties among the activists and crew on board.

Quick Takes

The ship “Conscience,” part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, was struck by armed drones at 00:23 Maltese time, causing fire and hull damage
All 16 people aboard (12 crew members and 4 civilians) were reported safe by Maltese authorities
Israel is being blamed for the attack but has not commented on the allegations
Climate activist Greta Thunberg was scheduled to board the vessel in Malta
The mission aimed to breach Israel’s blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian supplies amid dire conditions

Attack Details and Rescue Operations

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition ship “Conscience” came under attack from armed drones while in international waters near Malta. According to coalition statements, the vessel was struck twice at the front section, resulting in a fire and significant hull breach. The strike reportedly targeted the boat’s generator, leaving it without power and at risk of sinking. Maltese authorities confirmed receiving a mayday call from the vessel and dispatched rescue teams immediately, including a nearby tug and patrol vessel that conducted firefighting operations to contain the blaze.

The Maltese government reported that all 16 people aboard were safe following the attack, though the coalition claimed there were actually 30 individuals on the vessel. While Israel has been accused of conducting the attack, Israeli authorities have not issued any statement regarding the incident. The ship had departed from Tunisia and was heading to Malta to pick up additional activists when the attack occurred. The mission was reportedly organized under a media blackout to avoid potential sabotage attempts.

Activists’ Response and Mission Goals

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, comprising volunteers from over 21 countries, organized this mission with the stated goal of delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza and challenging Israel’s naval blockade. The coalition has a history of attempting similar missions, including a notorious 2010 incident when Israeli forces stormed the Mavi Marmara ship, resulting in the deaths of 10 activists. This latest mission had attracted high-profile supporters, including climate activist Greta Thunberg, who was scheduled to board in Malta.

“I was part of the group who was supposed to board that boat today to continue the voyage towards Gaza, which is one of many attempts to open up a humanitarian corridor and to do our part to keep trying to break Israel’s illegal siege on Gaza,” said Thunberg.

According to coalition statements, the attack caused “a fire and a substantial breach in the hull.” The targeting of the vessel’s power systems prevented the mission from continuing as planned, effectively halting the delivery of aid supplies. Despite the damage and danger, reports indicate some activists initially refused to abandon the partially damaged ship, highlighting their determination to complete their mission.

Humanitarian Crisis Context

This incident occurs against the backdrop of a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Following the Hamas attack on southern Israel in October 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 250 hostages, Israel imposed a blockade on Gaza, restricting the entry of food, fuel, and medicine. International aid organizations operating in Gaza report critical shortages, with community kitchens expected to close soon due to lack of supplies. The International Committee of the Red Cross has warned of impending chaos without immediate aid deliveries.

Israeli officials have maintained that Hamas militants steal humanitarian aid, though aid officials in Gaza dispute claims of widespread theft. A United Nations team is currently assessing malnutrition and famine risk in the region, while medical workers report being forced to prioritize only the most serious cases due to limited supplies. The attack on the Freedom Flotilla ship represents another setback in efforts to address the growing humanitarian emergency in the region.