Hezbollah condemned the Israeli drone attack targeting the Freedom Flotilla Coalition ship in Malta that was aiming to deliver aid to Gaza amid the continuing blockade on humanitarian aid imposed by "Israel".

In a statement, Hezbollah vehemently denounced what it called "the cowardly Israeli attack on the Global Conscience vessel in international waters," which was carrying vital humanitarian aid for more than two million Palestinians enduring an oppressive and inhumane blockade in Gaza.

"This attack on a peaceful civilian ship carrying relief aid constitutes a blatant violation of international laws, norms, and humanitarian values," Hezbollah stated, adding that "it once again confirms that this rogue entity respects no international resolutions and knows nothing but terror and arrogance."

"It [the Israeli entity] does not hesitate to use every internationally condemned means to achieve its goals and satisfy its thirst for blood and destruction," Hezbollah's statement asserted. 

The Lebanese party held the United States directly responsible for this crime, just as it is for every massacre and atrocity committed by "Israel" in Gaza and elsewhere.

Primeras imágenes del ataque de dos drones, presuntemente israelíes, a un barco de la Flotilla de La Libertad (@GazaFFlotilla) que iba con ayuda humanitaria y 18 tripulantes de Malta a Gaza.

¿Ha decidido Israel llevar la guerra, el terrorismo y la piratería al "jardin" europeo? pic.twitter.com/mLtfo6dNbG

— Lautaro Rivara (@LautaroRivara) May 2, 2025

Additionally, the statement said that "such brutality could never continue without America’s shameless backing of this rogue regime, the world’s cowardly complicity, and the Arab world’s humiliating silence as Israel carries out its genocidal war against the Palestinian people."

Hezbollah also urged the international community and Arab nations to strongly condemn this crime, revealing, once again, the brutal reality of the Israeli occupation.

The Lebanese Resistance group concluded by calling for immediate protection for the humanitarian vessel, its crew, and the activists aboard, while warning of "Israel's" history of deadly maritime aggression, as seen in its bloody assault on the Mavi Marmara years ago.

What happened?

A Gaza Freedom Flotilla vessel was attacked with drone strikes in international waters off the coast of Malta, according to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, while Palestinians in Gaza continue to face mass starvation and a rising death toll from child malnutrition.

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

Yasemin Acar, press officer for the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, told CNN that armed drones struck the ship twice, hitting the front of the vessel and creating a large hole in the hull, which led to a fire breaking out on board and the ship taking on water.

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

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