A Gaza-bound humanitarian aid ship, Conscience, was bombed by drones early on Friday while in international waters off the coast of Malta. Fortunately, no one aboard the vessel was seriously injured, thanks to the prompt response of a nearby tugboat, which assisted in firefighting operations and brought the fire under control.
The ship, which was carrying 12 crew members and four civilians, had been delivering much-needed supplies to the Gaza Strip, where a severe humanitarian crisis has been worsening. According to the Maltese government, the vessel caught fire around 2:13 a.m. local time. Within the next hour and a half, firefighting efforts had managed to control the blaze, and the situation was reported to be under control by 3:45 a.m.
While all 16 individuals aboard the ship were unharmed, they declined to leave the vessel. Malta’s authorities confirmed that there were no serious injuries or casualties. The ship, still in international waters at the time of the incident, continues to be monitored by authorities, with the situation being closely watched.
The Conscience ship was organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, a group dedicated to providing humanitarian aid to Gaza. After the drone attack, the coalition immediately accused Israel of being responsible, calling the attack an illegal act in violation of international law. In a statement, the group called for Israel’s ambassadors to be summoned to answer for this “blatant attack on civilians” and demanded an investigation into the bombing.
Francesca Albanese, the UN rapporteur for Palestine, also voiced her shock, condemning the lack of political outcry over the attack. She urged European Union leaders to condemn the assault on a civilian vessel delivering aid to people in need. Albanese called for an urgent investigation into the attack and immediate access to the ship, which remains stranded in international waters.
The Palestinian Hamas group echoed similar accusations, condemning Israel for what it described as “state terrorism” and an act of piracy. A Hamas spokesperson said the attack “reflects the terrorist nature of the occupation entity (Israel)” and showed Israel’s “defiance of international will and justice.” Hamas has also urged the United Nations Security Council to intervene and stop what it called Israel’s violations.
The timing of the attack adds further weight to these accusations. Israel has imposed a severe blockade on Gaza since early March, cutting off all imports, including food and medicine, to the Palestinian territory. This blockade has led to extreme shortages of essential supplies, triggering widespread famine-like conditions among Gaza’s population.
The international community, particularly humanitarian organizations, have been voicing concerns over the worsening conditions in Gaza, where over two million people are struggling to survive amid shortages of food, water, and medical supplies. Many countries, including the United States and those in the European Union, have called for an end to the blockade and have urged Israel to allow aid into the region.
This attack on a humanitarian ship delivering supplies further intensifies the debate over the ongoing conflict and the treatment of civilians caught in the middle of the crisis. The international law governing the safety of civilian vessels in international waters is clear, and many observers believe that Israel’s actions have violated these laws.
In response to the accusations, Israel has yet to comment on the specific attack. However, the Israeli government has long defended its blockade on Gaza, arguing that it is necessary to prevent weapons and materials that could be used for military purposes from entering the territory.
Meanwhile, the crew and civilians aboard the Conscience are continuing to await further developments. The tugboat that responded to the distress call was instrumental in ensuring their safety, and its quick response likely prevented a more severe disaster.
The incident has sparked outrage from global humanitarian organizations and governments, with many calling for greater protection for civilians and humanitarian aid efforts. As tensions continue to rise, many are calling for the United Nations to intervene, ensure that the vessel can safely complete its mission, and hold accountable those responsible for this attack on civilian aid efforts.
The Conscience ship remains in international waters, with authorities continuing to monitor the situation closely. The broader international community, including the EU and UN, is under increasing pressure to take a stand against the escalating violence and humanitarian violations in Gaza.
