A humanitarian ship en path to Gaza was struck by drones and engulfed in flames early Friday whereas crusing in worldwide waters off Malta, in accordance with the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the group organizing the mission.
All passengers aboard survived following a rescue operation, the Maltese authorities confirmed.
The focused vessel, Conscience, was carrying 16 folks – 12 crew and 4 civilians – when it was reportedly attacked twice by armed drones simply after midnight.
The ship issued a misery name from 17 nautical miles (31.5 kilometers) east of Malta.
Video shared by the coalition confirmed explosions lighting up the evening sky, adopted by flames consuming a part of the vessel.
The group alleged the strike was a deliberate act by Israeli forces and stated the assault triggered vital harm to the hull and the ship’s generator, putting it vulnerable to sinking.
“Israeli ambassadors must be summoned and answer to violations of international law,” the coalition stated in an announcement, demanding accountability for what it referred to as the focusing on of a civilian vessel.
Israel’s Foreign Ministry has not responded to the accusations.
The Maltese authorities dispatched a patrol vessel, and a close-by tugboat started firefighting efforts. Although the vessel’s crew refused to desert ship, officers later confirmed everybody was secure after hours of containment.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which is campaigning to finish Israel’s 17-year blockade of Gaza, stated the ship was a part of a covert mission involving volunteers from over 21 international locations, together with distinguished human rights figures.
Organizers maintained media silence within the lead-up to the journey, hoping to keep away from interference.
This newest assault evokes recollections of a lethal 2010 incident when Israeli forces boarded a Gaza-bound flotilla, killing 9 activists.
While different blockade-challenging missions have been intercepted with out bloodshed, tensions stay excessive.
The tried voyage comes amid ongoing battle in Gaza.
Following Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, incursion on southern Israel, which killed 1,200 and led to 251 hostage takings, Israel’s retaliatory offensive has claimed over 52,000 lives, per Palestinian well being officers.
Source: www.dailysabah.com