Valletta, Malta — Activists planning a humanitarian mission to Gaza reported their ship was struck by drones in international waters, raising allegations of Israeli involvement in the incident. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition stated that the vessel, named The Conscience, was attacked shortly after midnight local time on Friday.

The coalition issued an SOS signal immediately following the strike, which reportedly ignited a fire on board. A distress call was recorded by crew members aboard a nearby oil tanker, detailing drone assaults and the ensuing chaos on The Conscience. Fortunately, the Maltese government confirmed that all crew members and activists aboard were safe and that the fire was eventually brought under control.

The Coalition had intended to sail with a diverse group of activists, including noted climate advocate Greta Thunberg, to challenge what they describe as an illegal Israeli blockade of Gaza. They have called on international authorities, including Israeli diplomats, to address what they claim are violations of international law related to the blockade and the attack on their vessel.

While the Israeli military has stated it is investigating the reports, the activists described their operations as shrouded in secrecy. The group aimed to avoid any attempts to sabotage their mission as they approached Gaza. The region is currently under severe restrictions, with two million residents facing an ongoing humanitarian crisis exacerbated by a blockade.

Surya McEwen, a volunteer with the Coalition, indicated that contact with The Conscience was lost during the incident, which he characterized as an unprovoked assault on a civilian ship conducting humanitarian work. Despite the harrowing circumstances, he noted that there were no significant injuries among those on board.

Thunberg, who was slated to board the ship, expressed her determination to advocate for a humanitarian corridor to Gaza. She mentioned the urgency of their mission in light of the dire conditions faced by residents, emphasizing that they would persevere in their efforts to demand a free Palestine and the lifting of the blockade.

The Maltese authorities dispatched a tugboat to the scene, successfully extinguishing the fire and confirming that all individuals aboard were safe. However, the Coalition reported that the attack disabled the ship’s generator, leaving it at risk of sinking.

In a broader context, the ongoing blockade of Gaza has drawn significant international condemnation. In recent weeks, foreign ministers from the UK, France, and Germany characterized Israel’s actions as “intolerable,” amid growing concerns over the humanitarian situation. Since closing its borders two months ago, Israel has halted the flow of essential goods, including food, fuel, and medicine, which has led to severe shortages.

Humanitarian organizations, including the World Food Programme, have reported critical shortages of food, with some stating they have run out of supplies altogether. The Red Cross recently declared that the humanitarian response in Gaza is on the brink of total collapse, highlighting the urgent need for international intervention.

This latest incident comes in the wake of escalating violence, following an unprecedented attack by Hamas in early October that left about 1,200 dead and numerous hostages taken. According to the health ministry in Gaza, at least 52,418 individuals have lost their lives in the ongoing conflict, underscoring the urgent need for relief efforts and a peaceful resolution.