Activists' Gaza Aid Vessel Allegedly Hit by Drones Near Malta
A ship operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which seeks to challenge Israel's blockade of Gaza, reportedly encountered a drone attack in the Mediterranean Sea near Malta, according to statements made by the group on Friday. The incident occurred in the dead of night and caused significant damage, yet, fortunately, no injuries were reported. Maltese authorities noted that a fire aboard was successfully extinguished.
Citing Malta's government, Reuters reported that measures were taken to control the situation, though precautionary monitoring of the ship continues.
The vessel, on its way to Gaza carrying dozens of activists and humanitarian supplies, found itself in peril when its hull began taking on water, prompting the crew to send a distress signal. Footage shared by the organization depicted flames at the ship's bow.
While the perpetrators behind the drone attack remain unidentified, the event sheds light on previous encounters where Israeli forces took action to hinder attempts to breach the Gaza blockade.
Efforts to reach the Israeli Defense Forces for comments about their potential involvement drew no immediate reply.
Francesca Albanese, a UN envoy focusing on Palestinian issues, voiced concerns via social media, urging authorities to support the ship's mission to deliver much-needed food and medical supplies to Gaza.
The blockade imposed by Israel has hindered the entry of goods into Gaza, a place in dire need of humanitarian aid due to extensive infrastructural damage following ongoing conflict. The tragic toll has been exacerbated by hostilities dating back to October 2023, including a deadly attack initiated by Hamas.
A statement from Malta's officials, sourced from Reuters, confirmed the safety of all individuals on the Flotilla's vessel, specifying that the situation was under control and assistance was in place.
Although differences in reported aboard numbers arose, Maltese authorities affirmed the presence of 16 people, including crew and passengers, all of whom were unharmed despite the chaos.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition defines itself as a unified movement of international initiatives determined to oppose Gaza's blockade. Beyond merely navigating towards Gaza, the organization seeks to expose and denounce the role that global entities, notably the US government, play in sustaining the blockade.
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