In a shocking incident, activists planning to sail an aid ship to Gaza reported that their vessel, The Conscience, was struck by drones while in international waters off the coast of Malta. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which organized the mission, accused Israel of orchestrating the attack that occurred at 00:23 local time on Friday. Following the strike, the ship issued an SOS signal, indicating the urgent need for assistance.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition had intended to challenge Israel's illegal siege and blockade on Gaza with their humanitarian mission. Fortunately, the Maltese government confirmed that all individuals aboard the ship are safe and that a fire onboard was successfully brought under control overnight. The NGO is now calling for Israeli ambassadors to be summoned to address violations of international law, including the ongoing blockade and the attack on their civilian vessel.
In response to the incident, the Israeli military stated that it is currently investigating reports regarding the attack on The Conscience. Notably, climate activist Greta Thunberg, who was scheduled to join the mission, expressed her concerns to journalists in Valletta. Thunberg reported that the drone strike caused an explosion, resulting in significant damage to the vessel and rendering the mission impossible to continue.
According to Thunberg, the ship remains at the site of the attack because moving it would allow too much water to enter, putting it at further risk. "What is certain is that we human rights activists will continue to do everything in our power to demand a free Palestine and the opening of a humanitarian corridor," she asserted.
The Maltese government reported that there were 12 crew members and 4 activists aboard the ship, while the Freedom Flotilla Coalition stated that a total of 30 activists were present. The coalition released a video showing the fire on the ship, suggesting that the attack specifically targeted the generator, which left the vessel without power and at risk of sinking.
A tugboat was dispatched by the Maltese authorities to help extinguish the fire, which was reported to be under control by 01:28 local time. By 2:13, all crew members were confirmed safe but chose not to board the tugboat, according to the government statement, emphasizing that the ship remains outside territorial waters.
In a show of solidarity, Cyprus responded to the SOS signal by sending a vessel; however, the charity reported that it did not provide the critical electrical support needed for The Conscience. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition is actively campaigning to end Israel's blockade of Gaza, which has drastically impacted the delivery of essential goods. Two months prior, Israel had shut all crossings to Gaza, preventing food, fuel, and medicine from entering the territory, and later resumed military offensives against Hamas, effectively ending a two-month ceasefire.
The ongoing military campaign has resulted in devastating casualties, with approximately 52,418 people reported killed in Gaza according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry. This tragic escalation follows the unprecedented cross-border attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 individuals and the hostage-taking of 251 others.
