A humanitarian aid vessel bound for Gaza suffered a dramatic attack while anchored in international waters, according to eyewitness accounts and coalition reports. Drones allegedly struck the civilian ship twice, igniting fires and tearing a large hole in its hull, though no group has yet claimed responsibility for the assault.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition condemned the incident as a violation of maritime law, calling for diplomatic consequences against those responsible. While avoiding direct accusations, organizers highlighted Israel’s historical opposition to such aid missions, referencing a deadly 2010 raid that left activists dead and wounded.
Ann Wright, a retired U.S. Army colonel now aiding the flotilla, framed the attack within broader allegations of genocide in Gaza. She emphasized the mission’s purpose—to challenge both the blockade restricting essential supplies and what she described as international inaction amid escalating civilian casualties.
The damaged vessel, part of a symbolic effort to deliver humanitarian supplies, had been awaiting activists in Maltese waters when attacked. Wright characterized the flotilla as a citizen-led response to governmental failures, drawing parallels to past confrontations with Israeli forces. Investigations continue into the drone strike’s origins amid heightened tensions over Gaza’s humanitarian crisis.