Unprecedented Drone Strike On Humanitarian Vessel Sailing For Gaza

A humanitarian aid ship headed for Gaza was struck by drone attacks in international waters near Malta, causing significant damage and halting its mission to deliver critical supplies to the blockaded region.

Key Takeaways

The vessel named “Conscience,” part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, was attacked by armed drones at 00:23 Maltese time while in international waters
The attack caused a fire and hull breach, targeting the ship’s generator and leaving it without power
All 16 people onboard were confirmed safe by Maltese authorities, though the coalition claimed 30 people were present
Climate activist Greta Thunberg was scheduled to board the vessel in Malta before it continued to Gaza
Israel has been blamed for the attack but has not commented on the allegations

Attack on Humanitarian Vessel

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s ship “Conscience” came under attack by armed drones while in international waters near Malta. According to multiple reports, the attack occurred shortly after midnight local time and targeted the vessel’s generator, leaving it without power and at serious risk of sinking. The ship had departed from Tunisia and was en route to Malta to pick up additional activists when the incident occurred. Maltese authorities promptly responded to the vessel’s mayday call, dispatching emergency support vessels to assist.

Images from the scene showed explosions and a significant fire onboard the vessel. The attack reportedly struck the front of the ship twice, causing substantial damage to the hull. Despite the severity of the damage, the Maltese government confirmed that all 12 crew members and four civilians onboard were safe with no casualties reported. This count contradicts the coalition’s claim that approximately 30 people were onboard the vessel at the time of the attack.

Mission Details and Participants

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition organized the mission under a media blackout to avoid potential sabotage. The ship was carrying humanitarian supplies destined for Gaza, where severe shortages of food, medicine, and fuel have created a dire humanitarian crisis. The mission included volunteers from over 21 countries who were attempting to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza and deliver critical aid to the region.

“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 well-known climate activist Greta Thunberg.

Thunberg confirmed that she was scheduled to board the ship in Malta before it continued its journey to Gaza. Following the attack, Thunberg stated that the vessel sustained major damage that prevented the mission from continuing as planned. The activists’ goal was to deliver life-saving supplies to Gaza while peacefully challenging the Israeli blockade that has severely restricted the flow of humanitarian aid to the region.

Background and Previous Flotilla Attempts

This is not the first attempt by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition to break the Gaza blockade. In 2010, a similar mission ended in tragedy when Israeli forces stormed the Mavi Marmara ship, resulting in the deaths of nine activists. Other missions over the years have been intercepted without loss of life. Israel has maintained a strict blockade on Gaza, controlling the entry of food, fuel, and medicine into the territory.

The current crisis in Gaza stems from the October 2023 Hamas attack on southern Israel, which resulted in significant civilian casualties. Since then, the humanitarian situation in Gaza has deteriorated rapidly, with international aid organizations warning of famine and widespread suffering. The International Committee of the Red Cross has warned of chaos without immediate aid deliveries, while medical workers in Gaza are having to prioritize only the most serious cases due to limited supplies.

International Response and Controversy

While the Freedom Flotilla Coalition has explicitly blamed Israel for the drone attack, Israeli officials have not commented on the allegations. The incident has further inflamed tensions surrounding the Gaza blockade and raised questions about military actions against humanitarian vessels in international waters. The attack occurred as the United Nations was assessing malnutrition and famine risks in Gaza, where humanitarian organizations report they are rapidly running out of food and supplies.

The attack highlights the ongoing challenges facing humanitarian aid efforts in the region. Israeli officials have claimed that Hamas steals aid meant for civilians, while aid officials in Gaza deny widespread theft. Recent media reports suggest plans to use private contractors to distribute food in Gaza, a proposal criticized by humanitarian officials as unworkable given the current conditions. As the situation continues to develop, the international community faces mounting pressure to address both the immediate humanitarian needs in Gaza and the broader political conflict.