Drone Strike Hits Gaza-Bound Aid Ship Near Malta, Activists Blame Israel”
In the early hours of May 2, 2025, a vessel from the Gaza Freedom Flotilla, carrying 30 international human rights activists and humanitarian aid destined for Gaza, was attacked by drones in international waters approximately 17 nautical miles east of Malta. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the NGO organizing the mission, reported that the drone strikes targeted the ship’s generator, causing a fire and leaving the vessel at risk of sinking.
🔥 Incident Details
The attack occurred around 00:23 local time, with the ship, named Conscience, sustaining two drone strikes that ignited a fire and breached the hull. Video footage shared by the coalition shows flames aboard the vessel, though the authenticity of the footage has not been independently verified. The ship issued an SOS distress call, prompting a response from Cyprus, which dispatched a rescue vessel. The Armed Forces of Malta also sent a patrol boat to assist with firefighting operations.
Crew Safety and Rescue Efforts
According to the Maltese government, all 12 crew members and four civilian passengers aboard the Conscience were confirmed safe, with no casualties reported. The fire was brought under control by 1:28 a.m., and the vessel remained under monitoring outside Maltese territorial waters.
Mission Background
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition organized this mission to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and protest the ongoing Israeli blockade. This incident draws parallels to the 2010 Mavi Marmara flotilla raid, where Israeli forces intercepted a similar aid mission, resulting in the deaths of nine activists and straining Turkish-Israeli relations.
Broader Context
The attack on the Conscience occurs amid a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Since the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas-led fighters, which resulted in 1,200 Israeli deaths and 251 hostages taken to Gaza, Israel has launched extensive military operations in the enclave. According to Palestinian health officials, over 52,000 people have died in Gaza since the onset of the conflict.