By Ebi Kesiena
A humanitarian mission bound for Gaza came under attack early Friday when drones reportedly struck the vessel Conscience in international waters off Malta, according to organizers from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. The ship, carrying aid intended to break the Israeli blockade on Gaza, was said to have sustained damage after being hit twice, sparking a fire onboard.
The Maltese government confirmed it had received a distress call and dispatched assistance, including a tugboat that helped extinguish the fire. However, authorities did not acknowledge an attack, stating only that the crew was safe. Similarly, Cypriot rescuers confirmed receiving the distress signal and said a Cypriot-owned vessel assisted in firefighting efforts.
The activists accused Israel of being behind the attack, although they admitted they could not confirm it with certainty.
“While we cannot confirm 100%, we suspect it’s Israel,” said spokesperson Hay Sha Wiya, pointing to Israel as the “primary entity interested in keeping us and any aid out of Gaza.”
According to the activists, the strike appeared to target the ship’s generator and resulted in a breach in the hull.
The Cypriot Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC), citing the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reported that the vessel may have come under missile fire from an Israeli unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) while within Malta’s Search and Rescue (SAR) region.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military has not responded to media inquiries about the alleged incident. While Israel is known for conducting covert operations outside its borders, particularly during the ongoing war in Gaza, it often delays public acknowledgment of such actions.
The aid mission, part of a larger effort to challenge Israel’s blockade of Gaza, described the voyage as carrying “desperately needed, life-saving aid.” Since March 2, Israel has blocked all aid into Gaza and resumed full-scale military operations by mid-March, ending a fragile two-month truce.
The International Committee of the Red Cross on Friday warned that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is approaching total collapse, with prolonged aid restrictions leaving civilians without essential supplies.
Turkey, which confirmed some of its nationals were aboard the vessel, condemned the attack in strong terms. “This attack on a civilian ship threatens freedom of navigation and maritime security in international waters,” its Foreign Ministry said, promising to pursue accountability and clarification on the incident.
Both Hamas and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) led by Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas denounced the disabling of the aid ship and called for international action in response.
