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Arab News
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Malta brings six crew members off ship in drone strike row
VALLETTA: Pro-Palestinian activists aboard a boat damaged in an alleged Israeli drone strike have allowed a Maltese surveyor to inspect the vessel and six crew members have agreed to disembark, Malta's premier told parliament Monday. Prime Minister Robert Abela has said that Malta could tow the stricken Conscience to port for repairs once a maritime expert has been allowed to board the ship and study the results of Friday's alleged attack. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition had hoped to pick up supporters, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, in Malta then sail on to Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid to Palestinian victims of Israel's blockade of the territory and renewed military assault against the Hamas militant group. But, on Friday, a fire broke out on board the vessel after what the group says was a double drone strike, which the activists argue was most likely launched by Israel to halt or delay their mission. Neither Israel nor Malta, whose vessels intervened to help douse the fire, have confirmed the attack. But Abela promised that the Conscience will be allowed to continue on its mission once any necessary repairs are concluded. The Flotilla Coalition has welcomed the offer. 'Six people on this ship made a request to come ashore to our country and then immediately leave to their countries,' Abela told parliament Monday. Previously, the international activists had resisted calls for them to abandon ship, fearing being forced to drop their mission. 'This request was accepted immediately and those people are in the process of being transported to Malta by the Armed Forces of Malta, and they will catch a plane back to their country later today,' the premier said. Initially, Flotilla Coalition volunteers had said the surveyor would only be allowed on board if the ship was towed into Maltese territorial waters, but Abela said that was not acceptable, as Malta wanted to know more about the condition of the vessel before taking charge of its safety. Malta also refused a request that three individuals currently not on board be taken out to the Conscience with the inspector. 'The ship's captain now has accepted that the surveyor is allowed on board while the ship sits outside Malta's territorial waters, and I'm informed that the surveyor is in process of arriving at the ship,' Abela said. During an online press conference on Sunday, before Monday's departure of six crew members, the flotilla group said there were 18 people on board, 12 crew members and six 'human rights observers.' The activists explained the Conscience has no flag because the government of the Pacific nation of Palau had announced that they were withdrawing their registration on Friday, the day of the alleged strike. Otherwise, they insisted they had made every effort to comply with international maritime law when embarking on the mission to take aid to Palestinians in Gaza. According to the Flotilla Coalition, the Conscience was attacked in international waters, causing a fire that disabled the vessel and minor injuries to crew members. Online flight tracking service ADS-B Exchange showed that an Israeli C-130 military cargo plane had been in the area immediately before the incident and had made several low altitude sweeps over the area. Israel is known for conducting covert operations beyond its borders, including several during the Gaza war that it only acknowledged later. The activists said the strike appeared to target the boat's generator. Thunberg told reporters that the incident should not distract from the focus of the boat's mission to Gaza. 'What we are doing here is to try our very best to use all the means that we have to do our part, to keep trying to break the inhumane and illegal siege on Gaza and to open up humanitarian corridors,' she said.
France 24
05-05-2025
- Politics
- France 24
Malta brings six crew members off ship in drone strike row
Prime Minister Robert Abela has said that Malta could tow the stricken Conscience to port for repairs once a maritime expert has been allowed to board the ship and study the results of Friday's alleged attack. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition had hoped to pick up supporters, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, in Malta then sail on to Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid to Palestinian victims of Israel's blockade of the territory and renewed military assault against the Hamas militant group. But, on Friday, a fire broke out on board the vessel after what the group says was a double drone strike, which the activists argue was most likely launched by Israel to halt or delay their mission. Neither Israel nor Malta, whose vessels intervened to help douse the fire, have confirmed the attack. But Abela promised that the Conscience will be allowed to continue on its mission once any necessary repairs are concluded. The Flotilla Coalition has welcomed the offer. "Six people on this ship made a request to come ashore to our country and then immediately leave to their countries," Abela told parliament Monday. Previously, the international activists had resisted calls for them to abandon ship, fearing being forced to drop their mission. "This request was accepted immediately and those people are in the process of being transported to Malta by the Armed Forces of Malta, and they will catch a plane back to their country later today," the premier said. Initially, Flotilla Coalition volunteers had said the surveyor would only be allowed on board if the ship was towed into Maltese territorial waters, but Abela said that was not acceptable, as Malta wanted to know more about the condition of the vessel before taking charge of its safety. Malta also refused a request that three individuals currently not on board be taken out to the Conscience with the inspector. "The ship's captain now has accepted that the surveyor is allowed on board while the ship sits outside Malta's territorial waters, and I'm informed that the surveyor is in process of arriving at the ship," Abela said. During an online press conference on Sunday, before Monday's departure of six crew members, the flotilla group said there were 18 people on board, 12 crew members and six "human rights observers". International waters The activists explained the Conscience has no flag because the government of the Pacific nation of Palau had announced that they were withdrawing their registration on Friday, the day of the alleged strike. Otherwise, they insisted they had made every effort to comply with international maritime law when embarking on the mission to take aid to Palestinians in Gaza. According to the Flotilla Coalition, the Conscience was attacked in international waters, causing a fire that disabled the vessel and minor injuries to crew members. Online flight tracking service ADS-B Exchange showed that an Israeli C-130 military cargo plane had been in the area immediately before the incident and had made several low altitude sweeps over the area. Israel is known for conducting covert operations beyond its borders, including several during the Gaza war that it only acknowledged later. The activists said the strike appeared to target the boat's generator. Thunberg told reporters that the incident should not distract from the focus of the boat's mission to Gaza. "What we are doing here is to try our very best to use all the means that we have to do our part, to keep trying to break the inhumane and illegal siege on Gaza and to open up humanitarian corridors," she said.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Malta brings six crew members off ship in drone strike row
Pro-Palestinian activists aboard a boat damaged in an alleged Israeli drone strike have allowed a Maltese surveyor to inspect the vessel and six crew members have agreed to disembark, Malta's premier told parliament Monday. Prime Minister Robert Abela has said that Malta could tow the stricken Conscience to port for repairs once a maritime expert has been allowed to board the ship and study the results of Friday's alleged attack. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition had hoped to pick up supporters, including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, in Malta then sail on to Gaza to deliver humanitarian aid to Palestinian victims of Israel's blockade of the territory and renewed military assault against the Hamas militant group. But, on Friday, a fire broke out on board the vessel after what the group says was a double drone strike, which the activists argue was most likely launched by Israel to halt or delay their mission. Neither Israel nor Malta, whose vessels intervened to help douse the fire, have confirmed the attack. But Abela promised that the Conscience will be allowed to continue on its mission once any necessary repairs are concluded. The Flotilla Coalition has welcomed the offer. "Six people on this ship made a request to come ashore to our country and then immediately leave to their countries," Abela told parliament Monday. Previously, the international activists had resisted calls for them to abandon ship, fearing being forced to drop their mission. "This request was accepted immediately and those people are in the process of being transported to Malta by the Armed Forces of Malta, and they will catch a plane back to their country later today," the premier said. Initially, Flotilla Coalition volunteers had said the surveyor would only be allowed on board if the ship was towed into Maltese territorial waters, but Abela said that was not acceptable, as Malta wanted to know more about the condition of the vessel before taking charge of its safety. Malta also refused a request that three individuals currently not on board be taken out to the Conscience with the inspector. "The ship's captain now has accepted that the surveyor is allowed on board while the ship sits outside Malta's territorial waters, and I'm informed that the surveyor is in process of arriving at the ship," Abela said. During an online press conference on Sunday, before Monday's departure of six crew members, the flotilla group said there were 18 people on board, 12 crew members and six "human rights observers". - International waters - The activists explained the Conscience has no flag because the government of the Pacific nation of Palau had announced that they were withdrawing their registration on Friday, the day of the alleged strike. Otherwise, they insisted they had made every effort to comply with international maritime law when embarking on the mission to take aid to Palestinians in Gaza. According to the Flotilla Coalition, the Conscience was attacked in international waters, causing a fire that disabled the vessel and minor injuries to crew members. Online flight tracking service ADS-B Exchange showed that an Israeli C-130 military cargo plane had been in the area immediately before the incident and had made several low altitude sweeps over the area. Israel is known for conducting covert operations beyond its borders, including several during the Gaza war that it only acknowledged later. The activists said the strike appeared to target the boat's generator. Thunberg told reporters that the incident should not distract from the focus of the boat's mission to Gaza. "What we are doing here is to try our very best to use all the means that we have to do our part, to keep trying to break the inhumane and illegal siege on Gaza and to open up humanitarian corridors," she said. str-dc/ar/ach
Asharq Al-Awsat
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Malta Offers to Repair Gaza Aid Ship in Drone Strike Row
Malta offered on Sunday to repair an aid ship and send it on its way to Gaza after pro-Palestinian activists said the vessel had been hit by a drone strike. But Prime Minister Robert Abela said the Freedom Flotilla Coalition must first allow a maritime surveyor on board to inspect the "Conscience" and determine what repairs are needed, AFP reported. The pro-Palestinian activists had pointed the finger at Israel, which has blockaded the Gaza Strip throughout its military campaign against Hamas, for the attack. If the ship can be fixed at sea, it will be, but otherwise it will be towed under Maltese control to the Mediterranean island for repairs, paid for by Malta. "In the last few hours there was insistence that first the boat comes into Maltese waters and then the surveyor is allowed onboard," Abela said. "Before a vessel -- any vessel -- is allowed to enter Maltese waters then control must be in the hands of Maltese authorities, especially when we are talking about a vessel with no flag, no insurance." In an online press conference, members of the coalition who had been due to board the Conscience in Malta -- including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg -- said they had agreed to allow the inspection. "When we received this offer from the Maltese government, we consulted with all of our Flotilla Coalition committee members who are on board," said Brazilian FFC volunteer Thiago Avila. "And their decision is that this is a good proposition from the Maltese government," he said. "As long as they can guarantee ... Conscience will not be stopped when it wants to leave on the humanitarian mission to take aid to Gaza." The activists explained the Conscience has no flag because the government of the Pacific nation of Palau had announced that they were withdrawing their registration on Friday, the day of the alleged strike. Otherwise, they insisted they had made every effort to comply with international maritime law when embarking on the mission to take aid to Palestinians in Gaza. According to the Flotilla Coalition, the Conscience was attacked in international waters as it headed for Malta on Friday, causing a fire that disabled the vessel and minor injuries to crew members. Maltese and Cypriot rescuers responded. No government has confirmed the Conscience was the victim of drones, but Cyprus's rescue agency said it had been informed by the island's foreign ministry of an Israeli strike. The Israeli military did not provide an immediate response when contacted by AFP. First reported by CNN, a flight tracking service showed that an Israeli C-130 military cargo plane had been in the area immediately before the incident and had made several low altitude sweeps over the area. Israel is known for conducting covert operations beyond its borders, including several during the Gaza war that it only acknowledged later. The activists said the strike appeared to target the boat's generator.
Time of India
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Malta offers to repair Gaza aid ship in drone strike row
AP File Photo VALLETTA: Malta offered on Sunday to repair an aid ship and send it on its way to Gaza after pro-Palestinian activists said the vessel had been hit by a drone strike. But Prime Minister Robert Abela said the Freedom Flotilla Coalition must first allow a maritime surveyor on board to inspect the "Conscience" and determine what repairs are needed. The pro-Palestinian activists had pointed the finger at Israel, which has blockaded the Gaza Strip throughout its military campaign against Hamas, for the attack. If the ship can be fixed at sea, it will be, but otherwise it will be towed under Maltese control to the Mediterranean island for repairs, paid for by Malta. "In the last few hours there was insistence that first the boat comes into Maltese waters and then the surveyor is allowed onboard," Abela said. "Before a vessel, any vessel, is allowed to enter Maltese waters then control must be in the hands of Maltese authorities, especially when we are talking about a vessel with no flag, no insurance." In an online press conference, members of the coalition who had been due to board the Conscience in Malta -- including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, said they had agreed to allow the inspection. "When we received this offer from the Maltese government, we consulted with all of our Flotilla Coalition committee members who are on board," said Brazilian FFC volunteer Thiago Avila. "And their decision is that this is a good proposition from the Maltese government," he said. "As long as they can guarantee ... Conscience will not be stopped when it wants to leave on the humanitarian mission to take aid to Gaza." Low altitude sweeps The activists explained the Conscience has no flag because the government of the Pacific nation of Palau had announced that they were withdrawing their registration on Friday, the day of the alleged strike. Otherwise, they insisted they had made every effort to comply with international maritime law when embarking on the mission to take aid to Palestinians in Gaza. According to the Flotilla Coalition, the Conscience was attacked in international waters as it headed for Malta on Friday, causing a fire that disabled the vessel and minor injuries to crew members. Maltese and Cypriot rescuers responded. No government has confirmed the Conscience was the victim of drones, but Cyprus's rescue agency said it had been informed by the island's foreign ministry of an Israeli strike. The Israeli military did not provide an immediate response when contacted by AFP. First reported by CNN, a flight tracking service showed that an Israeli C-130 military cargo plane had been in the area immediately before the incident and had made several low altitude sweeps over the area. Israel is known for conducting covert operations beyond its borders, including several during the Gaza war that it only acknowledged later. The activists said the strike appeared to target the boat's generator. Thunberg told reporters that the incident should not distract from the focus of the boat's mission to Gaza. "What we are doing here is to try our very best to use all the means that we have to do our part, to keep trying to break the inhumane and illegal siege on Gaza and to open up humanitarian corridors," she said.
