Photo shared by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, with the Conscience in the background.Tista’ taqra bil-
Malti.
A humanitarian vessel, Conscience, is set to be towed to another Mediterranean port after Malta denied it entry despite it being struck by drones just outside the country’s territorial waters earlier this month.
The ship, which had been anchored near Hurd’s Bank since early May, was attacked on the 2nd of the month in what the Freedom Flotilla Coalition has labelled a deliberate Israeli assault.
The vessel was part of a mission aiming to deliver aid, food, water, medicine, and fuel to Palestinians in Gaza who have been under blockade for over two months. The coalition accused Israel of trying to sabotage the humanitarian effort, with the tacit support of the United States and the European Union.
Despite a Maltese government surveyor describing the damage to the ship as “minor”, Maltese authorities refused to grant port access. Foreign Minister Ian Borg, who has yet to condemn the strike, announced on Sunday that Malta coordinated with its security and maritime authorities to safeguard national interests while resolving the vessel’s status.
Thanks to diplomatic mediation from Turkey, Conscience will now be towed to a port in another Mediterranean country, whose identity remains undisclosed. The vessel’s twelve crew members will be transferred onto a separate conveyance vessel, brought ashore in Malta, and immediately flown back to their home countries.
Over the past days, efforts were underway to secure a tugboat. The Turkish-assisted tow finally became possible due to favourable weather conditions on Sunday morning, allowing for preparations to begin.
The incident has drawn harsh criticism, particularly from activists and human rights groups. Activist Andre Callus, speaking during an anti-genocide protest in Gżira, condemned the lack of Maltese government response.
Callus accused the administration of complicity through silence and described the drone strike conducted near Malta rather than in Gaza, Syria, or Lebanon as an attack on both Malta and Europe.
Callus questioned the absence of leadership, asking Prime Minister Robert Abela and Minister Borg, “Where is your shame? Your silence is deafening; it causes pain. Where is your courage? Where is the leadership this country needs?”
Military experts have concluded the ship was likely targeted with Israeli-made Orbiter 1K suicide drones. Notably, an Israeli military aircraft was spotted near Maltese airspace just hours before the attack.
The Conscience had also recently been deregistered from the Palau flag registry, possibly contributing to its vulnerable status.
The UN’s Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has called for an independent investigation into the incident, amplifying global concern over the targeting of humanitarian operations in international waters.
