Drones hit Gaza aid ship ‘Freedom Flotilla Coalition', Israel role suspected
A vessel carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza caught fire off the coast of Malta on Friday after what authorities described as a drone attack, reigniting concerns about the safety of sea-based aid missions amid the deepening crisis in the besieged Palestinian territory.
According to a report by Associated Press, the vessel, Conscience, operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and carrying 12 crew and four civilians, was about 16 miles from Malta when the incident occurred. Malta's government said a nearby tugboat responded to the distress call and confirmed that all aboard were safe and had refused evacuation. No injuries were reported.
As per AP report, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition directly accused Israel of targeting the ship, though it provided no evidence to support the claim. It released videos showing a blaze onboard and what it described as sounds of explosions. The Israeli military did not comment on the allegation.
Photos released by Cypriot authorities showed damage to the ship's hull, while the group said the strike appeared to have targeted the generator, causing a substantial breach and leaving the vessel without power. The fire was later brought under control.
This photo provided by the Goverment of Cyprus and taken from the EDT ship AEOLUS shows The Conscience, after a drone struck the vessel carrying aid to Gaza off the coast of Malta, Friday, May 2, 2025. (Government of Cyprus via AP)
Charlie Andreasson, a longtime member of the Flotilla group, told the Associated Press that he had spoken to people onboard who confirmed hearing two explosions before the fire broke out.
This latest attack comes amid a total Israeli blockade of Gaza since March, halting even food and medicine from entering. Israel has said the move is aimed at increasing pressure on Hamas to release hostages taken during its October 7 assault on southern Israel, which killed about 1,200 people and saw 251 abducted. As of now, 59 hostages are officially in Gaza, with 24 believed to be alive.
Israel's retaliatory campaign has devastated Gaza. According to Gaza's Health Ministry, over 52,000 Palestinians—mainly women and children—have been killed, though the ministry does not distinguish between fighters and civilians. The UN and aid organisations warn that Gaza's humanitarian system is on the brink of collapse.
The International Committee of the Red Cross warned on Friday that many of its Gaza programmes, including community kitchens that serve as the sole meal source for thousands, are at risk of shutting down without immediate aid access.
'Aid must be allowed to enter Gaza. Hostages must be released. Civilians must be protected,' the ICRC said in a statement, as quoted by AP. 'Without immediate action, Gaza will descend further into chaos that humanitarian efforts will not be able to mitigate.'
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