Zionist Regime Launches Assault on Gaza Aid Flotilla in International Waters

The international NGO reported on Friday that at 00:23 Maltese time, the Conscience, a vessel belonging to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, was subjected to a direct assault while navigating international waters.

An official statement reported that an unarmed civilian vessel was targeted twice by armed drones, leading to a fire and significant damage to the hull. The incident was attributed to Israeli actions.

The coalition has urged for the summons of Israeli ambassadors, demanding accountability for alleged breaches of international law. This includes the continuing blockade and the recent incident involving the bombing of a civilian vessel in international waters.

A statement has disclosed that 21 activists, among them notable figures, from various nations embarked on a peaceful humanitarian mission. Their aim is to contest Israel’s unlawful and lethal blockade of Gaza while delivering critically needed and life-saving assistance.

The assault occurred as the group was coordinating the operation under strict media silence to prevent any possible interference.

The group reported that the drone attack intentionally targeted the ship’s generator, resulting in a loss of power and leaving the vessel at risk of sinking.

The FFC has called upon the international community to denounce what it describes as an “aggression against an unarmed humanitarian aid vessel.” Furthermore, the committee has urged all nations supporting Israel to cease their political, financial, and military backing of what they term as Israel’s “illegal siege, blockade, occupation, and apartheid.”

The government of Malta has announced that all individuals on board the aid flotilla are “safe.” Authorities further stated that a nearby tugboat has been dispatched to assist the vessel.

On October 7, 2023, Israel initiated military operations in Gaza, instituting a full blockade on the region. This action came in response to Hamas’s launch of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, which was carried out as a countermeasure to what they claimed were escalating hostilities by Israel against the Palestinian populace.

In January, Israel entered into a ceasefire agreement with Hamas after failing to meet its objectives, which included dismantling the Palestinian resistance group and securing the release of captives. Despite this, on March 2, Israel halted the delivery of food, medical supplies, and other aid to the 2.3 million residents of the Gaza Strip, two weeks prior to the breakdown of the two-month ceasefire and the prisoner-captive exchange agreement.

The Palestinian health ministry reports that since October 7, 2023, a total of 52,418 Palestinians have lost their lives, with an additional 118,091 individuals sustaining injuries.

In 2010, Israel conducted a raid on the vessel “Mavi Marmara,” which departed from southern Turkey, resulting in the deaths of 10 individuals and injuries to 28 others.