A ship carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza was struck by drones in international waters near Malta early Friday, according to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. The vessel, Conscience, suffered damage to its generator and hull, leaving it without power and stranded. A nearby tugboat helped extinguish the fire, and Malta confirmed that 16 people aboard were safe, with no serious injuries. The coalition accused Israel of carrying out the strike but offered no direct evidence. Israel has not commented.
Video shared by activists showed fire and damage to the ship’s deck, with smoke rising and holes visible. Codepink activist Tighe Barry said the vessel had lost its flag prior to the attack and was at risk of being impounded by authorities in Malta, Greece, or Turkey. The captain reportedly requested re-entry into Maltese waters, warning of a “huge risk to life.” The ship had departed from Tunisia and was due to be joined by more volunteers in Malta, including climate activist Greta Thunberg, who did not board and remains safe.
The incident comes amid a worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, where Israel has blocked all aid since March. Over 52,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict, according to Gaza health officials. The International Committee of the Red Cross warned Friday that critical food and medical programs could shut down within weeks without renewed access. Turkey condemned the strike and pledged to pursue accountability, calling it an attack on maritime security.
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