A ship carrying humanitarian aid and activists bound for Gaza was struck by drones in international waters off Malta early Friday, with the Freedom Flotilla Coalition accusing Israel of being behind the attack. The Israeli government has not responded to the allegations.
The Maltese government confirmed that the ship, which had 12 crew members and four civilians on board, was secured after a nearby tug assisted with firefighting operations. The Turkish Foreign Ministry condemned the attack, stating that Turkish nationals were onboard and it was working with Maltese authorities to ensure their safety.
Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, who was supposed to board the ship, condemned the attack, which caused significant damage and forced the mission to cease. The NGO shared video footage showing explosions and a fire on the ship, which it claims was targeted by Israeli drones.
The Malta-based crew and activists had been preparing for a sea transfer, rather than docking, for logistical reasons. The group had been organizing a non-violent mission to break the blockade on Gaza. The incident comes as Israel’s blockade and airstrikes on Gaza continue amid escalating tensions with Hamas.