Gaza: The « Fleet of Liberty » ship and the fear that it will sink

The ship of the « Fleet of Freedom » with 30 occupant Philopalaistine activists who were attacked in the early morning hours of Friday by drones while starting his journey from Malta to Gaza, is in danger of sinking as he suffered serious damage according to a spokesman.

« The ship cannot move right now, because if it moves they will not be able to stop the water entrance and therefore the ship will sink very quickly, » Yasin Adjar told Al Jazeera.

The last contact with the 30 activists was made at 11am, he added.

« We hope the ship is okay and we really hope that rescue boats will be sent very soon, » Ajar said.

The « fleet of freedom » formed by Peace activists from various countries last year uses a metaphorical trawler to break Israel’s blockade and handing humanitarian aid to Gaza starring.

« Last year, we have faced many bureaucratic wars, who held our ships in the port of Constantinople for months. We had 5,500 tonnes of humanitarian aid, which we could not deliver to Gaza, « Adjar said.

« And so we tried again this year, and unfortunately, they stopped us again. This time, however, they began a deliberate attack, knowing very well that this ship transports activists and humanitarian aid. « 

Israel accused the organization

Adjar said the team believes that the attack was carried out by Israel or one of its allies, but that it could not confirm this information.

« Israeli ambassadors must be called upon and respond to violations of international law, including the ongoing exclusion (gauze) and the bombing of our political vessel in international waters, » the NGO said in a statement.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry did not respond immediately to a request for comment by international agencies.

Takis Politis, a professor at the University of Thessaly, who participates in the « Fleet of Freedom » initiative, is in Malta and also said that the ship was attacked because he was trying to break the illegal exclusion of Gaza and to deliver humanitarian aid to the Palestinians.

The ship was attacked off the coast of Malta in international waters and is now anchored 17 kilometers from the country.

From the attack he caught fire on the front of the ship and opened a hole in the boat. The crew emitted SOS and a « small boat » from Cyprus appeared for help, activists had reported several hours ago.

« We have 30 international human rights activists on this ship right now, on a sinking ship, » Ajar said.

Watch video

The organization has released a video of the attack that appears to be fire and explosions.

Breaking: at 00:23 Maltese Time, A #Freedomflotilla Ship was subjected to a drone attack. The front of the vessel was targeted twice, resulting in a fire and a break in the hull. The Ship is Currently Located in International Waters Near #Malta. An #Sos Distress Signal Was Sent. pic.twitter.com/j6oeqafuob

– Freedom Flotilla Coalition (@Gazafflotilla) May 2, 2025

What does Malta say

The Malta government said the port authorities received a danger from a boat reporting a fire shortly after midnight, local time. The boat was out of territorial waters according to the government that gives a smaller number of passengers (12 crew members and 4 citizens).

Malta said that a nearby tug was heading to the spot and began extinguishing the fire and that it was sent to Maltese patrol ship. After several hours, the boat and the crew are now safe, the Malta government said, adding that the occupants refused to board the trailer.

However, in a video published above the ship, activists call for pressure on the Malta government to help rescue.

At 00:23 Maltese Time, The Freedom Flotilla Vessel was subjected to a drone attack. The front of the vessel was targeted twice, resulting in a fire and a break in the hull. The Ship is Currently Located in International Waters Near Malta.

An sos distress signal was sent out, to… pic.twitter.com/1fc2wqhlfv

– Nicole Jenes (@nicolejnes1) May 2, 2025

Skeletal kids in the gauze

Israel banned humanitarian aid two months ago, shortly before breaking the ceasefire and re -launched the Gaza war, which has destroyed the Palestinian enclave and killed more than 50,000 people.

The UN World Food Program and UNRWA, the Palestinian refugee service, said they had exhausted all the food aid reserves.

Pictures of hunger -skeletal children make the world tour.

« The help, and the lives of the citizens who save, should never be a negotiating paper, » UN humanitarian leader Tom Fletcher warned on Thursday.

« Blocking the aid is starving the civilians. Leaves them without basic medical support. It deprives them of dignity and hope. It imposes a harsh collective punishment. The blocking of help kills. «