In a serious escalation, a civilian vessel carrying humanitarian aid destined for the Gaza Strip was attacked by a drone late on Thursday/early Friday while sailing in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea, near the island of Malta.
According to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the vessel—affiliated with the coalition—was struck twice at its bow, resulting in a fire and structural damage to the hull.
The attack occurred at 00:23 Malta time, forcing the ship’s crew to issue a distress call (SOS) while still within international waters. Despite the passage of several hours, the Maltese authorities had not yet responded at the time of reporting, raising serious questions about their commitment to their maritime responsibilities.
The coalition has urgently called on the Maltese government to intervene and rescue the vessel, stressing the obligations under international law that require coastal states to immediately assist any civilian ship in distress within their nearby maritime zones.
The ship was en route to Gaza as part of a renewed civilian effort to break the Israeli blockade, carrying vital humanitarian and medical supplies. This mission is part of a series of peaceful civilian initiatives aimed at delivering aid to Gaza’s residents, who have been enduring catastrophic humanitarian conditions under a blockade lasting more than 17 years.
The party responsible for the attack remains unknown, further deepening the seriousness of the incident and raising concerns about the motives behind it.
The attack reflects ongoing efforts to sabotage humanitarian and civilian missions through the use of military means without any formal acknowledgment of responsibility.
International law strictly prohibits targeting civilian ships in international waters, as set out in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Furthermore, the Geneva Conventions affirm the protection of humanitarian convoys and unarmed vessels during conflicts, particularly when transporting aid to besieged areas.
Silence in the face of such attacks constitutes a grave abandonment of international justice principles and undermines the global framework protecting humanitarian initiatives. The targeting of this ship serves as a stark warning: without immediate action and accountability, such violations may continue openly and with impunity.
