Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1535229
10 10 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 11 MAY 2025 OPINION THE motor vessel Conscience, its name a symbolic reflection of the world's con- science (or lack thereof), highlights the ongoing Palestinian humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Painted all white, the Conscience was far more than a vessel on a simple aid mission. It was a strategic component in a larger international effort to breach Israel's Gaza maritime blockade. Israel interpreted these plans as an overt attempt to disrupt the highly controversial strategic objectives it has for Gaza. From Israel's perspective, this was not a relief mission but a politically charged intervention with far-reaching re- gional implications. It comes as no surprise that Israel would have had prior knowledge, obtained through open sources and detailed intelli- gence, that a Free Gaza Flotilla was being organised. Israel was also fully aware of the involvement of the Turkish non-govern- mental organisation İnsani Yardım Vakfı (IHH), the Humanitarian Relief Founda- tion. Founded in 1992 and formally registered in Istanbul in 1995, IHH is a controver- sial organisation that has been accused of supporting radical-Islamic and anti-West- ern groups. It has also openly supported Hamas. In 2008, Israel's Defence Minister Ehud Barak signed an order outlawing the IHH. In 2010, 10 Turkish members of IHH were killed when a convoy of six ships at- tempting to breach the Gaza blockade was intercepted by an Israeli Joint Task Force. Among these ships was the Mavi Marma- ra, where nine IHH activists were killed in a violent exchange with Israeli Special Forces of the Shayetet 13. The tenth activist later succumbed from injuries in a hospital. This incident caused significant international controversy straining relations between Is- rael and Turkey for years. Israel's diplomatic offensive: Palau and Malta In recent weeks, Israel revived its 2010 strategy by engaging in diplomatic, military, and covert operations. Under the direction of Israel's highest government officials, Is- rael launched a "special diplomatic effort" aimed at preventing the latest flotilla from assembling. The goal was to stop the flotil- la's maritime components from departing ports, making stopovers, or loading sup- plies and "high-value passengers and influ- encers". Israel's strategy sought to avoid a scenario in which military force would once again be necessary to prevent the flotilla from breaching the Gaza maritime block- ade. It evidently wanted to reduce the risk of casualties. The desire to avoid yet another confronta- tion at sea is also motivated by the need to prevent Israeli diplomatic fallout with Tur- key, a highly sensitive issue for both coun- tries in the current regional climate. The de-registration of the Conscience by Palau after the ship arrived at Hurd's Bank, just outside Maltese territorial waters, was very likely part of Israel's "special diplo- matic effort". The move rendered the ship stateless, providing sufficient grounds for Malta to deny entry on the basis of "safe- ty and security". The Maltese government would have most certainly been engaged by Israel. This occurred even though plans had been made for the Conscience to pick up humanitarian aid and high-profile activists in Malta before joining the Mavi Marmara and other boats in the Freedom Flotilla Co- alition. Meanwhile, Israel's contingency planning, supported by the IDF's Naval Intelligence and Mossad, adapted to the knowledge that Turkish President Recep Erdoğan continued to support either the removal or easing of the Gaza blockade. At least six Turkish members of IHH were aboard the Conscience when it arrived off Malta. They were led by Behesti Ismail Songur, the Pres- ident of the Mavi Marmara Association, who had in turn lost his father during the ill-faithed 2010 incident. Not surprising- ly, after departing the same vessel, these activists claimed that the Maltese author- ities treated them as if they were the ones who had 'bombed' the Conscience. A flight to Turkey was even delayed to allow this group to board and depart Malta at the first available opportunity. Israel's covert operation: Hercules and drones While all of this was unfolding, the Isra- el Defence Forces and Mossad, were un- doubtedly developing contingency plans, some of which likely included possible cov- ert operations. One particular operation of interest that has reached the public domain involved the Israeli Air Force's Hercules KC-130H Rhino, Registration Number 4X-FBZ/545, operated by 131 Squadron and based at Nevatim Air Base. On Thursday, 1 May 2025, the aircraft was reportedly conducting a mission just outside Malta's territorial airspace, al- though still well within the country's Flight Information Region (FIR). The exact na- ture of this mission, whether it was an in- telligence-gathering operation or part of a broader Israeli covert operation remains unclear. However, the flight's pattern, its duration in close proximity to Malta, and the timing of the operation strongly suggest that the mission was focused on monitor- ing or gathering information related to the Conscience or possibly supporting a covert operation. Could this have been an operation aimed at "cold stopping" the aid ship? Similar op- erations were considered by the IDF in 2010 when options to deal with the Free Gaza Flotilla were explored. However, such plans were abandoned after the Israeli Defence Force declared them non-feasible. Fifteen years later, the available military technology has vastly improved and the use of drones widely spread. If Israel was behind a "cold stop" covert operation against the Con- science, it would have required at least the approval of the Israeli Minister of Defence, if not the Israeli Prime Minister himself. A formal and proper investigation into the mysterious circumstances surrounding the alleged bombing of the Conscience is definitely required although not necessari- ly perceived to be politically desirable. The longer-term implications of this incident have probably yet to manifest themselves. But this latest incident highlights the evolv- ing nature of the national security threats Malta faces. In the absence of conclusive proof, this in- cident remains one piece of a much larger puzzle. Ultimately, only time, may reveal the full truth behind the incident, if ever. Footnote: The 'Winds of Heaven' was the code-name given to the IDF's Operation to deal with the flotilla that was led by the Turkish ship Mavi Marmara to breach the Gaza blockade from Sea in 2010 in an at- tempt to deliver humanitarian aid. David Attard Retired Colonel David 'dp' Attard is former deputy commander, Armed Forces of Malta Why do the 'Winds of Heaven' lead back to Israel? A tugboat putting out the flames that ensued after the Gaza aid ship Conscience was attacked by drone