Additional Coverage:
Gaza-Bound Aid Ship Attacked in Mediterranean
A humanitarian aid ship en route to Gaza was attacked overnight in the Mediterranean Sea near Malta. The vessel, named the Conscience, caught fire and began taking on water after being targeted by drones, according to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC).
The FFC reported that the ship, carrying 30 activists, was struck twice in the front section while sailing in international waters, approximately 16 miles off Malta’s coast. A fire broke out and a breach in the hull was reported. While onboard firefighting systems managed to extinguish the blaze, the ship is reportedly in danger of sinking.
The FFC alleges that the attack was a deliberate act of sabotage targeting the ship’s generator, leaving the crew without power. They claim to have been operating under a media blackout to minimize the risk of such an incident. The organization did not offer evidence to support their claim of Israeli involvement.
Maltese authorities confirmed the fire and dispatched a tugboat to assist. While the crew was reported safe, they refused assistance from the tugboat and continued their own firefighting efforts.
The Conscience was reportedly traveling to Malta to pick up additional volunteers before proceeding to Gaza. Among those expected to join the mission were prominent figures such as Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and retired U.S. Army Colonel Mary Ann Wright.
The FFC stated the mission aimed to deliver vital aid to Gaza, where an Israeli embargo has severely restricted the entry of essential supplies for two months. They called for international action against Israel for alleged violations of international law.
The incident comes as the U.N. World Food Program warns of imminent food shortages in Gaza, with existing aid supplies rapidly dwindling. Israel maintains that the blockade is necessary to prevent Hamas from diverting aid for military use.