Attack in the Mediterranean | Malta blocks damaged rescue ship

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) humanitarian vessel "Conscience" remains blocked by Malta in international waters after it was allegedly struck by two drones early Friday morning. Four people on board suffered minor injuries, including burns and lacerations. The vessel sustained damage to its bow, causing a fire and leaving holes in the deck and a crack in the hull. The boat's power generator was particularly affected—and, according to the FFC, the target.

The FFC blames Israel for the attack on the "Conscience" about 17 kilometers off the coast of Malta. According to the FFC, the ship was carrying humanitarian aid and medical supplies for the Gaza Strip, which is almost completely destroyed and under siege by Israel and is located more than 1,600 kilometers from Malta.

After extinguishing the fires and treating the injured, the captain attempted to steer the ship into Maltese territorial waters. Despite urgent SOS distress calls, the Maltese authorities refused to allow the ship to enter their waters or enter a port. At one point, the "Conscience" was reportedly even blocked by the Maltese Coast Guard when it attempted to move.

The Maltese government confirmed a fire on the ship shortly after midnight, but did not mention a drone strike. According to the report, a tugboat was dispatched and brought the fire under control around 2 a.m. The danger of sinking, as announced on Friday, appears to no longer be present: the FFC had invited a press conference on the "Conscience" for Sunday afternoon. Whether this will succeed, however, is doubtful: Activists who wanted to take a boat to the "Conscience" to provide assistance were also reportedly prevented from doing so by the Maltese coast guard.

The crew members refused to board the tugboat, according to a statement from Maltese authorities. The FFC stated that it did not want to leave the ship, which was loaded with humanitarian aid, as it was its "responsibility to ensure it remains afloat." Palau had already revoked the Conscience's flag on Thursday, the day before the attack. The reason for this is unclear.

There are different reports about the number of people on board: While the Maltese government speaks of twelve crew members and four civilian passengers, the FFC told CNN a higher number of 30 people.

The attack occurred as the ship was about to board a group of activists in Malta, including climate activist Greta Thunberg and retired US Army colonel Mary Ann Wright. "Volunteers from over 21 countries traveled to Malta to participate in the mission to Gaza," the FFC wrote.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition describes itself as an international network of pro-Palestinian activists working to end the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip. "Two million people trapped there are being systematically starved, and you can't just sit back and watch," Greta Thunberg told Swedish broadcaster SVT. For two months, Israel has blocked all deliveries of food, medicine, and other essential goods to the Gaza Strip—ostensibly to pressure Hamas, which rules the country, into releasing remaining hostages. Critics, however, see this as an attempt to starve and deliberately expel the population.

Israel has not commented on the accusation that it was responsible for the attack on the ship. The activists and their supporters have no evidence to support this claim. However, reports of suspicious flight movements by an Israeli military aircraft began circulating on Friday. According to the volunteer-run flight tracking website ADS-B Exchange, a C-130 Hercules was recorded leaving Israel for Malta early Thursday afternoon. The cargo plane flew for an extended period at a relatively low altitude over eastern Malta, the site of the attack several hours later, and returned to Israel approximately seven hours later.

The attack in the Mediterranean Sea sparked worldwide condemnation. Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, said she had "received a desperate call from the people of the Freedom Flotilla" and called on the authorities to "support the ship and its crew." In Valletta, the capital of Malta, there were protests by supporters and passengers who were unable to board the ship after the attack.

The "Conscience" is currently in waters for which the Maltese Coast Guard is responsible in the event of a sea rescue operation. Movements in the Maltese airspace (the so-called Flight Information Region) must also be coordinated by Malta. However, in the case of rescues of refugees, the authorities often refuse any assistance. This was highlighted on Saturday by the organization Sea-Watch, whose aircraft flew over the "Conscience" following an emergency report.

Malta is a neutral state, yet the Maltese government has not condemned the unprecedented attack near its territorial waters. Opposition leader Bernard Grech of the conservative Christian Democratic National Party called for a "united national front" beyond party political interests and demanded an "urgent meeting" with the Prime Minister to discuss the incident.