The ship was attacked by two drones near Malta on Friday. NGOs blame Israel for their attacks.
An international NGO that intends to provide humanitarian assistance to Gaza at sea has said it is a meeting with the Maltese government on allowing ships to enter Maltese waters to repair the damage caused by the drone attacks.
The ship, run by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), named Conscience, caused damage to the front of it when it collided with two drones just outside Maltese territory in the Central Mediterranean early on Friday, the NGO said on Sunday.
The coalition, an international non-governmental group, blamed the incident on Israel, which blocked and fired Gaza.
#freedomflotilla press statement 04-05-2025: “We received a very welcome update from the government of Malta@Maltagov. (Read more…) https://t.co/pvk6qjjsm3
– Freedom Flotilla Coalition (@gazafflotilla) May 4, 2025
Departing from Tunisia, conscience waited for about 30 peace activists from around the world to board the board before sailing to Gaza, the eastern Mediterranean. The ship was trying to deliver aid, including food and medicine, to the besieged enclave. There, aid groups warn that people are struggling to survive after two months of Israeli lockdown.
Swedish activist Greta Samberg said she was in Malta and planned to board the ship as part of the fleet.
Prime Minister Robert Abela said on Sunday that Malta is ready to assist in the repairs needed to the ship so that he can continue his journey after being satisfied that the ship only retained humanitarian aid.
Union officials said Sunday that the ship was not at risk of sinking, but they wanted to ensure that it was safe from further attacks during repairs and could sail again.
Earlier on Sunday, the coalition accused Malta of blocking access to the ship. Malta denied the claim, saying the crew refused to aid and even refused to allow surveyors to assess the damage.
“The FFC wants to clarify its commitment to engagement. [Maltese] Authorities can continue their urgent humanitarian mission to Gaza to promote temporary docking of the ship for repairs and surveyors,” the coalition said in a statement that day.
A spokesman for the Malta government said the boat’s cargo was confirmed as aid, and then the aim was to assist in repairs at sea.
Union officials said surveyors welcomed the board as part of a transaction negotiated with Malta.
Israel halted humanitarian assistance to Gaza two months ago, broke a ceasefire and resumed its war with Hamas.
Another NGO ship on a similar mission to Gaza in 2010 was stopped by Israeli forces, boarded, and nine activists were killed. Other such vessels were similarly suspended and boarded, and activists were arrested.
Hamas has denounced Israel for “pirates” and “state terrorism” and issued a statement about the incident off the coast of Malta.
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