Watch: Malta Offers To Cover Gaza Flotilla Repairs But Refuses Entry Without Inspection
Malta is willing to cover the costs of repairing the damaged Gaza-bound vessel stranded just outside its territorial waters but only on humanitarian grounds and if a maritime inspection is allowed, Prime Minister Robert Abela has confirmed.
Speaking to journalists earlier today, Abela said Malta is prepared to help the ship continue its journey to Gaza, but insisted the government must first verify what’s on board and assess the extent and cause of the damage.
“We are offering to pay for the repairs after we confirm the ship is, indeed, carrying humanitarian aid,” he said.
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“The crew has not yet provided a list of what’s on board.”
The vessel, part of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla Coalition, was damaged early Friday morning in what activists claim was a drone attack.
The ship was located 14 nautical miles off Malta when the incident occurred. No one was injured, but the hull sustained damage, resulting in a fire and operational failure.
Malta responded quickly, dispatching emergency teams to extinguish the fire and ensure everyone on board was safe. Abela said the government also offered to bring all crew and passengers ashore, without the vessel, but the offer was refused. He confirmed that the offer remains open.
Abela stressed that the vessel currently has no flag and no insurance, and that two AFM patrol boats are still monitoring the situation nearby in international waters.
The Maltese government has since proposed sending a Transport Malta maritime surveyor to inspect the ship and determine whether the damage is repairable at sea but this was also refused by the vessel’s captain.
“We need to establish the nature of the damage, whether the ship is disabled, and whether it can continue its journey,” Abela said. “But the captain is refusing to allow the surveyor on board.”
Police negotiators were also blocked from boarding the ship, though radio contact has been maintained.
The Prime Minister insisted that Malta’s priority is to ensure the vessel continues on its journey to Gaza as soon as possible, rather than remaining anchored near Malta.
“We all agree that the aim should be for the vessel to reach Gaza, so that if it is truly carrying humanitarian aid, it gets to the people who need it.”
Despite pressure from various groups, Abela would not condemn the drone strike, saying more facts need to be established first.
The Prime Minister added that Malta is in communication with Israel “at a ministerial level”, though he declined to provide details.
He also confirmed that the Palestinian ambassador has been kept informed of all developments and supports Malta’s proposed way forward.
Responding to Opposition Leader Bernard Grech’s call for an urgent meeting on the situation, Abela said a meeting will take place, reiterating that this is not a partisan issue.