A ship organized by activists aiming to break the blockade on Gaza was struck by drones early Friday in international waters near Malta, according to its organizers.
The vessel, named The Conscience, is part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and was preparing to sail toward Gaza carrying humanitarian aid and volunteers.
The group reported the attack occurred shortly after midnight local time, with a fire breaking out on board as a result. A distress call was made, and nearby vessels recorded the emergency transmission in which the captain reported drone strikes and fire damage. Malta’s government confirmed that all those on board were safe and that the fire was brought under control by early morning. A tugboat was dispatched to assist, but the crew and passengers reportedly refused to evacuate the ship.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which includes international activists, said the ship’s journey was intended to challenge Israel’s blockade on Gaza. Among those who had planned to board the vessel was Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg. She told reporters in Valletta that the mission was a peaceful effort to open a humanitarian route into Gaza. Due to the attack, she and others did not board the ship as scheduled.
The ship had sailed from Tunisia earlier in the week and was sailing close to Malta when the incident happened. Marine tracking data shows it currently remains about 12 to 14 nautical miles off the Maltese coast, outside the country’s territorial waters. The vessel remains at sea, reportedly damaged but afloat.
Activists accused Israel of being behind the attack, citing the nature of the strike and the political context. Israel has not officially confirmed or denied involvement, but its military said it is reviewing reports of the incident. The organizers believe the attack deliberately targeted the ship’s generator, which caused the vessel to lose power and threatened to sink it. Video shared online showed flames engulfing parts of the ship.
The NGO behind the mission said about 30 activists were expected to travel to Gaza, though Malta stated only 16 people were on board at the time of the strike. Organizers said they had kept the voyage secret to avoid sabotage, describing the assault as an attack on a civilian humanitarian mission in international waters.
The effort to sail to Gaza comes amid worsening conditions in the territory. For two months, a full blockade has halted the entry of food, fuel, and medical supplies. Humanitarian agencies report critical shortages, with the Red Cross warning on Friday that relief efforts are on the brink of total failure. Kitchens in Gaza say food supplies are nearly depleted, and the World Food Programme has already run out of aid stock.
Israel imposed the blockade and resumed military operations in Gaza following an attack on October 7, 2023, that killed around 1,200 Israelis and saw hundreds taken hostage by Hamas. Since then, over 52,000 people in Gaza have been reported killed, according to local health officials, as Israeli forces continue their campaign against the militant group.
The Freedom Flotilla incident adds a new layer to the already strained international response to the conflict. Activists vow to continue their efforts, while governments and humanitarian organizations call for greater access to the besieged region.