Israeli drones strike Gaza aid ship near Malta, 30 humanitarians issue SOS

A humanitarian flotilla, a fleet of ships carrying 30 human rights activists delivering supplies to Gaza, was struck by Israeli military drones in the early hours of Friday, just outside Maltese territorial waters.

The incident occurred at approximately 00:23 local time, when two drone strikes hit the vessel, damaging its hull and generator. The strikes caused the ship to start taking on water, placing the lives of those aboard in immediate danger. The crew sent out an urgent SOS distress call as the situation deteriorated.

The vessel, part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, was operating in international waters about 14 nautical miles from Malta when it was attacked. Despite issuing multiple distress signals, only Cyprus responded by sending rescue boats. 

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition denounced the attack on social media, describing it as a "war crime" and an "act of piracy", and called for swift action from the Maltese government and the international community.

The flotilla was heading to deliver aid to Gaza, where Palestinians are currently subjected to genocide, ongoing Israeli airstrikes, and a blockade. Organisers indicated that the mission was conducted under a media blackout to reduce the risk of Israeli disruption. Those on board maintained that the ship was clearly identified as a humanitarian vessel and was unarmed, intended solely to deliver vital aid to Gaza’s civilian population.

This attack comes at a time when Israel is also facing severe wildfires affecting several areas, including near Jerusalem. These wildfires have prompted evacuations, emergency alerts, and a state of distress across the nation. Despite the domestic crisis, Israel’s military actions in Gaza, now extending to international waters, have continued unabated.

In Gaza, the humanitarian crisis is worsening rapidly. Since the onset of the genocide following the October 2023 attacks, Israeli airstrikes and the blockade have caused widespread destruction, leaving more than 52,000 Palestinians dead, at least 118,000 injured and millions displaced.

The region is facing critical shortages of food, medicine, and essential supplies. Human rights organisations and various governments have denounced these actions as genocidal, calling for international accountability over ongoing human rights violations.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, active since 2010, has persistently challenged the naval blockade on Gaza by sending humanitarian aid via sea. This recent strike on the Freedom Flotilla, just outside Maltese waters, marks a serious escalation, not only in Gaza but also internationally, as Israel’s military activities continue to draw condemnation from the global community.

The situation remains urgent, and pressure is mounting worldwide for immediate measures to ensure the safety of humanitarian workers and the delivery of aid to Gaza. As of now, the ship is still taking on water, with Cyprus the only nation to respond to the SOS call.