Malta Blocks Entry Of Drone-Hit Gaza Aid Ship From Docking

A ship carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza was damaged by drones near Malta last week, leading to tensions between an international NGO and Maltese authorities.

The NGO accused Malta of obstructing its mission by preventing the ship from docking for urgent repairs, while the Maltese government denied the claims.

The vessel, named Conscience, is operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), an international non-governmental group that supports humanitarian missions to Gaza.

According to the coalition, the ship was struck by two drones in the early hours of May 2 just outside Malta’s territorial waters in the central Mediterranean.

The attack caused damage to the front section of the ship and led to a complete loss of power.

The FFC blamed Israel for the drone attack, stating that the country has blockaded Gaza as part of its ongoing conflict with Hamas. Israel has not responded to requests for comment on the matter.

The ship had departed from Tunisia and was scheduled to pick up around 30 peace activists from different countries while near Malta, before attempting to sail to Gaza.

The group intended to deliver essential aid, including food and medical supplies, to people in the region who are suffering under a two-month long total blockade.

The coalition also revealed that four people on board sustained injuries, including cuts and burns, due to the drone strike. This was the first time the group mentioned any casualties.

The FFC claimed that volunteers from 13 countries who tried to reach the vessel from Malta on May 3 and 4 were stopped by the Maltese military and sent back under threat of arrest.

It further stated that the ship had been stuck in international waters since the drone attack and had not been allowed to enter Malta for repairs or medical assistance.

In a statement, the coalition said, “The humanitarian ship Conscience has been blocked in international waters since it was attacked by two drones in the early morning of May 2.”

They also added that Maltese authorities were preventing the ship from coming into port to carry out necessary repairs and to assist the injured crew members.

However, the Maltese government rejected these accusations. Prime Minister Robert Abela said that Malta continued to offer help but needed to protect national security.

He stated that the ship’s captain had refused to allow a Maltese surveyor and police officers to board and assess the situation. Abela assured that Malta would facilitate repairs once it was confirmed that the vessel carried only humanitarian supplies.

A government spokesperson said that soon after the attack, a nearby tug assisted the Conscience in putting out onboard fires, and that Malta was offering support for repairs to be done at sea, pending verification of the cargo.

In a follow-up statement, the FFC clarified that it was committed to cooperate with Maltese authorities and wanted to allow a surveyor to inspect the ship.

The group said its priority was to ensure the ship could safely undergo repairs and resume its mission to Gaza without further threats.

The coalition said the ship was stable and not at risk of sinking, but stressed the need for a secure environment to complete the repairs before continuing its journey.

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, who was in Malta, had planned to join the aid mission as part of the flotilla. The FFC did not confirm whether she was among the volunteers who had been stopped by the military.

Later, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) released a statement welcoming an update from the Maltese government, which expressed its intent to provide logistical support and allow potential repairs to the ship Conscience.

The group alleged that when the Conscience was first approached by coast guards, they did not initially identify themselves and took nearly an hour to assist in extinguishing the fire.

It also claimed that the crew’s radio signals were tampered with and that Maltese authorities had advised the crew to abandon the vessel, which raised concerns over the ship’s safety and hindered formal agreements.

The FFC stressed its continued commitment to working with Maltese authorities to allow the ship to temporarily dock for repairs and inspections, so that the humanitarian mission to Gaza could proceed without further delays.

Aid groups have warned that the region is on the brink of collapse, with food, medicine and basic necessities in short supply since Israel halted humanitarian aid two months ago and resumed military action against Hamas.

The conflict has led to widespread devastation and more than 51,000 reported deaths, according to aid organisations.

This is not the first time such missions have been opposed. In 2010, an NGO vessel attempting to reach Gaza was boarded by Israeli forces, resulting in the deaths of nine activists.

Several other similar missions have also been stopped, although without casualties.

After the latest incident, Hamas issued a statement condemning the drone strike, calling it “piracy” and “state terrorism,” and blaming Israel for the attack near Malta.

References: Aljazeera, Reuters

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