Zionists Attack Humanitarian Flotilla With Drone Strike, Resistance Condemns War Crime

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 the Zionist regime’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.

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 Zionist sabotage. Volunteers from more than 21 countries, including notable public figures, had traveled to Malta to participate in the mission.

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 the occupation’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 Zionist genocide.

Since March 2, 2025, the regime 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 the Zionist regime’s siege, occupation, and apartheid policies
Mobilize civil society to pressure Maltese authorities and ensure accountability

The coalition further demanded that Zionist 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 the regime in its initial public statement, the context, method, and timing of the attack strongly implicate the Zionist entity 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 the occupation’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.

Palestinian and Regional Resistance condemn war crime

Palestinian and regional factions condemned the the occupation’s attack today on the Al-Dameer (Conscience) ship of the Freedom Flotilla.

Hamas described the attack as “piracy and organized state terrorism,” holding the “israeli” government fully responsible for the ship and crew’s safety. They commended the crew’s efforts and called for continued exposure of zionist fascism. Hamas called specifically on the UN Security Council to intervene, stop violations, and hold leaders accountable for crimes against humanity.

The Mujahideen Movement emphasized the attack as a “new terrorist crime” by that “threatens global stability and peace,” urging continued efforts by the free people of the world to break the siege and demanding international bodies criminalize this aggression.

The Ahrar Movement focused on the “brutal aggression” and strongly condemned the “repugnant and unjustified international silence.” They affirmed the attack shows “israel” declares “a policy of starvation as a means of killing” and acts as if it is above the law.

The Popular Resistance Committees described the “zionist thuggery, bullying, crime, and fascism without limits,” calling “israel” a “rogue, criminal entity devoid of all human qualities” and an “enemy to all of humanity.” They explicitly stated the attack is a result of “American cover, support, and encouragement” and urged the world to “awaken from its slumber, rise up, and deter the entity.”

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement saw the attack as “new proof of the enemy’s use of starvation as a weapon” in the genocide. They considered it a “blatant mockery of international laws and norms,” including ICJ and ICC decisions, and an “insolent defiance of the will of free peoples.”

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine considered the attack a new zionist piracy, but noted that it reflects the zionist entity’s horror of growing global solidarity with the Palestinian people. They linked the attack to the 2010 Mavi Marmara incident. The PFLP affirmed that the zionist entity does not respect any international resolutions, working under continuous Western cover. They called on the free peoples of the world to escalate their pressure and boycott. Further, they called for large freedom convoys from various continents to break the siege on Gaza. The PFLP concluded by affirming that the responsibility of the free people of the world requires escalating the political, legal, and popular struggle against the zionist entity for their crimes against all of humanity.

Hezbollah considered the attack a flagrant violation of international laws, norms, and humanitarian values. Hezbollah stated that this crime “would not have occurred without the blatant American support for this temporary entity, the shameful international complicity, and the shameful Arab silence regarding the war of genocide.”