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Turkish activist Mecid Bagcivan, who was on the ship said that the attack caused two explosions and a fire on board. Videos shared by the group showed flames and damage to the ship's deck. No serious injuries were reported, though the fire left the vessel disabled and stranded.
This photo shows The Conscience, after a drone struck the vessel carrying aid to Gaza off the coast of Malta, Friday, May 2, 2025. (Photo: Government of Cyprus via AP)
UPDATED: May 3, 2025 03:09 IST
A ship named Conscience, part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s mission to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, was reportedly attacked by drones in international waters about 16 miles off Malta on Friday, news agency Associated Press reported.
The group organising the shipment, which includes peace activists and NGOs, accused Israel of the strike, however, no direct evidence has been presented and the Israeli military has not commented so far.
Turkish activist Mecid Bagcivan, who was on the ship said that the attack caused two explosions and a fire on board. Videos shared by the group showed flames and damage to the ship’s deck. No serious injuries were reported, though the fire left the vessel disabled and stranded.
A nearby tugboat responded to a distress call, but the crew initially had to fight the blaze alone.
The ship, which left Tunisia earlier in the week, carried 12 crew members and four civilians, along with food and medical supplies for war-torn Gaza, where humanitarian conditions are dire. The vessel is now immobilized due to generator damage and is struggling to find a port, as Malta, Greece, and Turkey have reportedly threatened to seize it.
Additionally, the ship’s flag was revoked by Palau just before the attack, complicating its legal status.
Tensions around aid deliveries to Gaza have been high. Israel has maintained a blockade since March, saying it's necessary to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages taken during the October 7, 2023, attack. Over 52,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed in the subsequent Israeli offensive, according to Gaza health officials.
This incident draws parallels to the 2010 Israeli raid on the Mavi Marmara, a previous Gaza aid flotilla, in which nine activists were killed. Turkey has condemned Friday’s attack and warned it endangers maritime safety.
The Committee of the Red Cross has warned that its humanitarian operations in Gaza may collapse without renewed aid access, emphasizing the urgent need for both humanitarian support and a cease in hostilities.
Published By:
Aashish Vashistha
Published On:
May 3, 2025
