“Israel” drone strikes Gaza-bound aid ship in international waters

An “Israeli” drone struck a humanitarian aid ship bound for Gaza in international waters near Malta on Friday, igniting a fire, breaching the vessel’s hull, and leaving it at risk of sinking, according to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), which organized the mission.

The attack targeted the vessel’s generator and is now at risk of sinking.

The ship, carrying critical supplies for the war-torn and besieged Gaza Strip, had 30 crew members and civilians on board.

No immediate casualties were reported, but the vessel’s dire condition prompted Cyprus to dispatch rescue vessels to assist.

The FFC described the strike as a “criminal attack” and a “violent assault on world civil society,” demanding that Malta ensure the safety of those on board and hold “Israel” accountable for what they called a breach of international maritime law.

The FFC has called for “Israeli” ambassadors to be summoned to answer for the attack, accusing Israel of violating international law through both the blockade and the bombing of a civilian vessel.

International law experts note that attacks on civilian vessels in international waters could constitute a violation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which guarantees freedom of navigation.

The incident has also drawn comparisons to a 2010 “Israeli” raid on a Gaza-bound flotilla, which killed nine activists and sparked global outrage.