A Gaza Freedom Flotilla vessel was attacked with a drone strike in international waters off the coast of Malta, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition reported, as Palestinians in Gaza face mass starvation and a mounting death toll from child malnutrition.

The civilian ship, Conscience, was carrying life-saving humanitarian aid to the besieged enclave when it was struck by drones shortly after midnight Maltese time on Friday, May 2.

The attack, which took place on the morning they were scheduled to depart, triggered an SOS distress signal. According to the coalition, 30 international human rights activists were aboard the unarmed civilian vessel, part of a nonviolent mission to break "Israel’s" siege on Gaza.

Yasemin Acar, press officer for the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, confirmed to CNN that armed drones hit the ship twice, targeting the front of the vessel and causing a substantial breach in the hull. A fire erupted on board, and the ship began to sink. “There is a hole in the vessel right now, and the ship is sinking,” Acar said.

BREAKING: At 00:23 Maltese time, a #FreedomFlotilla ship was subjected to a drone attack. The front of the vessel was targeted twice, resulting in a fire and a breach in the hull. The ship is currently located in international waters near #Malta. An #SOS distress signal was sent. pic.twitter.com/J6oEQafuOb

— Freedom Flotilla Coalition (@GazaFFlotilla) May 2, 2025

Acar added that the ship’s generator appeared to have been deliberately targeted, leaving the vessel without power. Video footage released by the coalition showed flames and smoke engulfing the ship, while separate clips captured the sound of explosions. “Our vessel is 17 kilometers off the shores of Malta right now in international waters, and they have been subjected to a drone attack twice,” she said.

Although a small boat from southern Cyprus responded to the distress call, it was reportedly unable to provide the critical electrical support needed to stabilize the vessel.

Activists from 21 countries on board

The Conscience had been preparing to set sail under a media blackout, a precaution taken by the coalition to avoid potential Israeli sabotage. Volunteers from more than 21 countries, including notable public figures, had traveled to Malta to participate in the mission.

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Coalition activist Caoimhe Butterly confirmed via Instagram that the attack occurred before a second group of 40 international volunteers, including climate activist Greta Thunberg, was due to board the ship. “All on land are safe, and those on board are not injured, thankfully, but the response needs to be mobilised to the SOS call,” she wrote.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition is an international network of activists working to challenge "Israel’s" blockade of Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid directly to the enclave through peaceful, direct action. Their mission has become increasingly urgent as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens amid the ongoing Israeli genocide.

At 00:23 Maltese time, the Freedom Flotilla vessel was subjected to a drone attack. The front of the vessel was targeted twice, resulting in a fire and a breach in the hull. The ship is currently located in international waters near Malta.
An SOS distress signal was sent out, to… pic.twitter.com/1Fc2wQhlFv

— Nicole Jenes (@NicoleJenes1) May 2, 2025

Since March 2, 2025, "Israel" has completely halted all aid truck deliveries into Gaza, effectively starving more than two million Palestinians. Humanitarian experts estimate that at least 600 aid trucks per day are required to meet minimum survival needs in Gaza. None have been permitted to enter in more than two months.

Maritime obligations ignored as Malta fails to respond

The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Rome said that a tugboat had been sent to the scene, but the coalition said it could not verify whether it had reached the Conscience, as all communication was lost after the drone attack.

Under international maritime law, Malta is obligated to respond to vessels in distress in its maritime vicinity. The coalition condemned what it described as a failure by Maltese authorities to uphold these responsibilities, calling the lack of a timely response a violation of international customary law.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition issued a series of urgent demands on its website, calling on Malta and the international community to:

• Ensure the immediate safety and rescue of all individuals aboard the Conscience
• Publicly condemn the attack on the unarmed humanitarian aid vessel
• End all political, military, and financial support for "Israel’s" siege, occupation, and apartheid policies
• Mobilize civil society to pressure Maltese authorities and ensure accountability

The coalition further demanded that "Israeli" ambassadors be summoned and held accountable for what it called repeated violations of international law, including the bombing of a civilian ship in international waters.

Pattern of targeting Gaza-bound aid missions

While the Freedom Flotilla Coalition did not explicitly name "Israel" in its initial public statement, the context, method, and timing of the attack strongly implicate "Israel" as the likely perpetrator.

The use of drones, the targeting of Gaza-bound humanitarian missions, and the consistent pattern of intercepting flotillas all point to "Israel’s" enforcement strategy to prevent aid from reaching the enclave.

This incident adds to growing international concern over the safety of humanitarian workers and the blatant obstruction of aid to a population facing famine, disease, forcible displacement, and relentless bombing.