ROME - A ship that transports humanitarian aid and on-the-ground activists to Gaza was hit by drones, while it was in international waters off Malta in the early hours of Friday, said the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the NGO that manages the boat. 

 The activists have released a video showing a fire on one of their ships called the Conscience but have not yet released who the attack is responsible for the attack or whether there were any injuries. In a statement posted on social media the NGO said, "it seems that the attack of the drones has specifically targeted the generator of the ship, which is now at risk of sinking with 30 international activists for human rights on board.” The Maltese authorities announced later Friday morning that the fire on board had been put out. 

 The boat, which was hit twice, causing a fire to break out on board as well as a breach in the hull, issued a rescue request after being hit at 17 nautical miles - 31.5 kilometres - to the east of Malta, to which Cyprus replied by sending a ship, Freedom Flotilla confirmed. The NGO is leading an on-going campaign to end the blocking of humanitarian aid imposed by Israel. Another of the coalition’s ships, engaged in a mission similar to Gaza in 2010, had been stopped and attacked by Israeli troops and nine activists were killed. Other ships have been affected similarly but without casualties.

 Humanitarian operations in Gaza are "on the verge of total collapse" according to the International Red Crossin a statement made on Friday. The press release continued, "if humanitarian aid does not resume immediately, the International Red Cross Committee will no longer have food, medicines and essential goods to continue many of its programs in Gaza. After six weeks of intense hostility, combined with two months of total blocking of humanitarian aid, have deprived the civilians of the means necessary to survive.”

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