A humanitarian vessel bound for Gaza was reportedly struck by drones in international waters off the coast of Malta on Friday, according to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), a multinational activist group challenging Israel’s blockade of the Palestinian enclave.

The ship, named Conscience, was approximately 14 nautical miles (25km) from Malta when it came under fire, the group said. The FFC claimed the drone attack caused significant structural damage and triggered a fire on board, threatening the lives of the 30 Turkish and Azeri activists aboard.

“Armed drones attacked the front of an unarmed civilian vessel twice, causing a fire and a substantial breach in the hull,” the coalition said in a statement, describing the strike as a “violation of international law.”

While the group stopped short of directly naming Israel as the party behind the strikes, it called on governments to hold Israeli ambassadors accountable for what it described as “the bombing of our civilian vessel in international waters” and the ongoing blockade on Gaza.

Nicole Jenes, a spokesperson for the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, told Al Jazeera that the ship’s engine was set ablaze following the strike at approximately 12:23 p.m. local time. The crew and activists reportedly scrambled to contain the fire and keep the vessel from sinking, as emergency calls were sent to nearby authorities.

A rescue vessel from Southern Cyprus was dispatched in response to SOS signals, though details remain unclear on whether direct assistance was provided. Later, the Maltese government confirmed the fire had been brought under control and said the ship was being monitored. The fate of the passengers, however, remained uncertain, with communication lost shortly after the incident.

“They were hiding in the rooms of the ship because they were afraid of the drones … and then we lost contact with them,” Jenes said from Malta.

The Conscience was attempting to break the naval blockade imposed by Israel, which has effectively cut off the Gaza Strip from the outside world. Humanitarian agencies warn that conditions in the territory—already decimated by months of conflict—have become catastrophic.

“This attack is an extension of the genocide that is happening in Gaza,” Jenes said. “The international community must not remain silent.”

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, formed by peace activists from various countries, has been sending ships to Gaza in defiance of Israel’s naval restrictions, using repurposed fishing vessels to deliver aid.

The strike comes amid growing concern from global humanitarian agencies about the deteriorating situation in Gaza. In a stark assessment released Friday, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) warned that aid operations in the territory are "on the verge of total collapse."

“Six weeks of intense hostilities, combined with a complete blockage of aid for two months, have left civilians without the essentials they need to survive,” the ICRC said. Without the resumption of consistent aid deliveries, access to food, medicine, and vital supplies is rapidly disappearing.

As international pressure mounts over the worsening humanitarian crisis and reports of attacks on aid efforts, questions remain over accountability, legality, and the role of governments in enforcing protections for civilian missions in international waters.



By WafricNews Desk.