Aid Ship to Gaza Attacked by Armed Drones in International Waters

ISLAMABAD/MALTA: A ship carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza was hit by two armed drone strikes in international waters off Malta, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) confirmed on Friday. The group, which organized the mission, said the vessel—named Conscience—was en route to break the Israeli blockade on Gaza when it came under attack.

Drone Strikes Cause Fire and Hull Damage

According to a statement from the FFC, the strikes occurred while the ship was 14 nautical miles (25km) from Malta. The unarmed civilian vessel sustained significant damage, including a breach in the hull and a fire in the engine area.

“Armed drones attacked the front of an unarmed civilian vessel twice, causing a fire and a substantial breach in the hull,” the group said. The incident reportedly happened around 12:23pm local time (10:23 GMT).

The coalition stressed that the vessel was on a humanitarian mission, aiming to deliver critical supplies to Palestinians trapped under an Israeli blockade that aid agencies say has led to a worsening humanitarian catastrophe.

FFC Demands International Accountability

While the FFC stopped short of directly blaming Israel, it demanded accountability. “Israeli ambassadors must be summoned and answer to violations of international law, including the ongoing blockade and the bombing of our civilian vessel in international waters,” the group declared.

Nicole Jenes, a spokesperson for the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, told Al Jazeera that the attack tore a hole in the vessel and triggered an engine fire, endangering the crew and the success of the mission.

“This was a deliberate act against a humanitarian effort,” she said. “It not only endangered our lives but sends a chilling message to all organizations attempting to bring relief to Gaza.”

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Israel Remains Silent

As of now, Israel has not issued any statement regarding the drone strikes. The Israeli military has previously warned against any unauthorized attempts to reach Gaza by sea, citing security concerns.

This latest attack comes amid growing international outrage over the continued blockade of Gaza, which has severely restricted the entry of food, medicine, and fuel. The UN and humanitarian organizations have repeatedly warned that Gaza’s population faces extreme food insecurity and a total collapse of medical services.

Global Reactions Expected

International law experts and human rights groups are likely to demand an inquiry into the strike, especially given the attack occurred in international waters—raising concerns about the safety of civilian maritime operations.

Legal analysts say such strikes could constitute a violation of maritime law and human rights protocols, particularly if proven to be state-sponsored.

A Dangerous Precedent

The drone attack marks an alarming escalation in the risks faced by humanitarian missions attempting to aid Gaza. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition says it remains undeterred and vows to continue efforts to deliver life-saving aid.

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