Freedom Flotilla blames Israel for drone strike on Gaza-bound aid ship

A ship carrying humanitarian aid and international activists to Gaza was bombed by drones in international waters off Malta early Friday, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition said, accusing Israel of carrying out the attack.

"Israeli ambassadors must be summoned and answer to violations of international law, including the ongoing blockade (of Gaza) and the bombing of our civilian vessel in international waters," the coalition said in a statement.

The group also released video footage showing a fire on the ship, named the Conscience.

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

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, an international NGO, said the drone strike appeared to have specifically targeted the ship’s generator, putting the vessel at risk of sinking.

The ship, which was 17 nautical miles (31.5 kilometers) east of Malta, issued an SOS distress call. The charity said Cyprus responded by dispatching a rescue vessel.

The Maltese government later confirmed that all people aboard were safe.

“The vessel had 12 crew members on board and four civilian passengers; no casualties were reported,” it said in a statement. A nearby tugboat was sent to assist, and by 1:28 a.m. (2328 GMT Thursday), the fire was reported under control. The Armed Forces of Malta also dispatched a patrol vessel.

"By 2:13 a.m., all crew were confirmed safe but refused to board the tug ... The ship remains outside territorial waters and is being monitored by the competent authorities," the government added.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition is campaigning to end Israel’s blockade of Gaza..

Israel’s offensive in Gaza since last October has killed more than 52,000 people, according to Palestinian health officials.

In 2010, a previous Freedom Flotilla mission was stopped and boarded by Israeli forces, resulting in the deaths of nine activists. Other flotillas have also been intercepted in the past, though without fatalities.