According to information from the international non-governmental organization freedom Flotilla Coalition, a ship carrying humanitarian goods and international activists heading towards Gaza was attacked by a drone while moving in international waters off the coast of Malta in the early morning of May 2.
The organization has released a video showing a fire breaking out on the ship after the attack. There is currently no official information about which organization or country was behind the incident. There were also no reports confirming whether anyone was injured in the attack.
According to freedom Flotilla Coalition, the attack appeared to have targeted the ship's generator, putting the ship at risk of sinking. There were 30 international human rights activists on board. After the attack, the ship sent an SOS distress signal about 17 nautical miles (31.5 km) east of Malta. Cyprus later dispatched a ship to the rescue.
freedom Flotilla Coalition is a movement alliance to end the blockade of Gaza. This incident has raised concerns about the safety of sea humanitarian missions to the area, especially in the context of the war between Israel and Hamas that has not yet subsided.
The conflict in Gaza broke out after an attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli data. Since then, Israel's military campaign in Gaza has killed more than 52,000 people, according to statistics from Palestinian health officials.
This incident is reminiscent of the incident in 2010, when another ship of the same alliance was stopped by the Israeli army on its way to Gaza. At that time, 9 activists were killed. Other trains were also blocked, although there were no casualties.
The international community has not yet responded officially to the latest drone attack on the relief ship. The situation is being closely monitored, while activists call for safety for humanitarian efforts at sea to reach Gaza.
