On Sunday, an international NGO accused Malta of obstructing access to a humanitarian aid ship bound for Gaza, which it claims was struck by two drones two days earlier. Malta refuted this allegation, stating that the crew had declined assistance. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the NGO in question, attributed the incident to Israel, which has imposed a blockade on Gaza amid its conflict with Palestinian Hamas militants.
Israel has yet to respond to inquiries for comment. According to the NGO, the ship Conscience, operated by the coalition, sustained damage to its bow and experienced a power failure after being hit just outside Maltese territorial waters in the southern Mediterranean. The vessel was poised to embark with approximately 30 peace activists from around the globe before attempting to reach Gaza in the eastern Mediterranean to deliver essential food and medical supplies.
The NGO reported that volunteers from 13 nations attempting to reach the ship from Malta on Friday and Saturday were intercepted by the Maltese military, which compelled them to return to Malta under the threat of arrest. The coalition stated that the humanitarian vessel Conscience has been stranded in international waters since it was targeted by two drones early on May 2. Furthermore, it noted that Maltese authorities had obstructed the ship from entering port to conduct repairs and provide assistance to four individuals on board who sustained cuts and burns during the drone strike, marking the first acknowledgment of any injuries.
Prime Minister Robert Abela indicated that Malta was still willing to assist the ship, but emphasized the necessity of safeguarding Malta’s security. He mentioned that the ship’s captain continued to deny access to a surveyor and Maltese police. Abela stated that once it was confirmed that the ship’s cargo was exclusively humanitarian, Malta would facilitate repairs to enable it to resume its journey to Gaza. Malta has consistently supported Palestinian causes and recently admitted several injured children from Gaza for medical care. In 2010, another NGO vessel on a similar mission to Gaza was intercepted and boarded by Israeli forces, resulting in the deaths of nine activists. Other vessels have faced similar fates without fatalities. Hamas condemned the incident near Malta, accusing Israel of engaging in ‘piracy’ and ‘state terrorism.’ The Maltese government reported that the vessel and its crew received assistance in the early morning hours when the attack was reported, with a nearby tug helping to extinguish fires.
