An activist ship, The Conscience, bound for Gaza, was allegedly attacked by drones off the coast of Malta, leading to urgent distress signals and calls for accountability.
Gaza Activist Ship Targeted by Drones Off Malta, Claims NGO
Gaza Activist Ship Targeted by Drones Off Malta, Claims NGO
Activists report drone attack on their vessel, prompting distress signals and raising international tensions.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition announced the attack early Friday morning, claiming their vessel was targeted around 00:23 local time (22:23 GMT). Addressing their mission to challenge Israel's blockade on Gaza, the group stated they sent out an SOS distress signal immediately following the incident.
In response, the Maltese government confirmed that a fire on board was managed and that the ship was under surveillance by the appropriate authorities. They reported no casualties among the crew, which they stated consisted of 12 members and 4 activists. However, the NGO asserted that there were in fact 30 activists aboard.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition suggested Israeli involvement in the drone strike and called for the summoning of Israeli diplomats to explain what they categorized as violations of international law related to the blockade and the attack on a civilian vessel. The Israeli military referenced an ongoing investigation into the claims made by the activists.
In a video shared by the coalition, the fire on the ship was shown but did not indicate any injuries. The group revealed that the drones seemingly focused their attack on the ship's generator, leaving it powerless and vulnerable to sinking while approximately 17 nautical miles east of Malta.
A vessel from Cyprus responded to the distress call, but the coalition stated it was unable to provide necessary electrical support. Their campaign seeks an end to the Israeli blockade on Gaza, which has intensified following Israel's closure of crossings into Gaza two months ago. The blockade has led to severe restrictions on the access of food, fuel, and medicines to the territory amidst ongoing military operations.
This escalation follows a cross-border attack in early October that resulted in significant fatalities and hostage situations, leading to a military campaign aimed at dismantling Hamas, with the ongoing war reportedly claiming more than 52,000 lives in Gaza according to figures from Hamas's health ministry.
In response, the Maltese government confirmed that a fire on board was managed and that the ship was under surveillance by the appropriate authorities. They reported no casualties among the crew, which they stated consisted of 12 members and 4 activists. However, the NGO asserted that there were in fact 30 activists aboard.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition suggested Israeli involvement in the drone strike and called for the summoning of Israeli diplomats to explain what they categorized as violations of international law related to the blockade and the attack on a civilian vessel. The Israeli military referenced an ongoing investigation into the claims made by the activists.
In a video shared by the coalition, the fire on the ship was shown but did not indicate any injuries. The group revealed that the drones seemingly focused their attack on the ship's generator, leaving it powerless and vulnerable to sinking while approximately 17 nautical miles east of Malta.
A vessel from Cyprus responded to the distress call, but the coalition stated it was unable to provide necessary electrical support. Their campaign seeks an end to the Israeli blockade on Gaza, which has intensified following Israel's closure of crossings into Gaza two months ago. The blockade has led to severe restrictions on the access of food, fuel, and medicines to the territory amidst ongoing military operations.
This escalation follows a cross-border attack in early October that resulted in significant fatalities and hostage situations, leading to a military campaign aimed at dismantling Hamas, with the ongoing war reportedly claiming more than 52,000 lives in Gaza according to figures from Hamas's health ministry.
