In a concerning escalation involving humanitarian efforts to Gaza, a vessel operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC) caught fire early Friday morning, May 2, 2025, in international waters near Malta. The group alleges that the fire was caused by a drone strike, which they claim originated from Israel, although no direct evidence has been publicly presented so far.
The vessel, named Conscience, was on a mission to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, carrying supplies including food, water, and medical aid, amid a worsening humanitarian crisis caused by Israel’s continued blockade of the Palestinian territory.
The incident reportedly occurred around 17 kilometers off Malta’s coastline, outside its territorial waters, shortly after midnight local time (6 p.m. ET on Thursday). The fire prompted the ship to issue an SOS distress call, triggering an immediate response from the Maltese Armed Forces, who confirmed receiving the alert and dispatched emergency aid.
Ship Heavily Damaged, Fire Reported Under Control
The ship’s press officer, Yasemin Acar, informed the media by phone that the vessel had sustained significant structural damage, including a hole in its hull, which raised fears of it sinking. Despite the gravity of the situation, no casualties or injuries were reported among those onboard.
According to the Maltese government, the ship was carrying 16 people—including 12 crew members and 4 civilian passengers—at the time of the attack. However, FFC had earlier reported that up to 30 people were on board, revealing a discrepancy that remains unresolved.
Malta’s Armed Forces confirmed that the fire was later extinguished, and that the ship was being closely monitored while remaining outside its territorial waters. A tug boat was dispatched to assist the vessel, but the FFC said the crew refused to board, choosing instead to remain with the ship and continue their mission. Interior firefighting operations were supported by Maltese personnel, according to the government.
Planned Boarding Delayed: Greta Thunberg and Mary Ann Wright Among Supporters
The Conscience was scheduled to dock at Malta to pick up additional activists and supporters before proceeding toward Gaza. Notable figures such as climate activist Greta Thunberg and retired U.S. Army Colonel Mary Ann Wright were among those expected to board the ship from Malta. Fortunately, they were not onboard at the time of the fire.
In a statement to Reuters, Thunberg emphasized the symbolic and humanitarian importance of the voyage:
“This mission was one of many ongoing efforts to open a humanitarian corridor into Gaza, to challenge the siege that has left more than 2 million people without access to clean water, medicine, and food for over two months.”
Mary Ann Wright, told CNN, said the attack was shocking and entirely unexpected:
“Anyone could have been on that boat. We were preparing to board when this happened. It’s unimaginable that someone would target a civilian humanitarian ship anchored off Malta.”
According to the FFC, activists from over 21 countries, including those from Turkey and Azerbaijan, had traveled to Malta to join the flotilla in solidarity with the people of Gaza.
Video Footage and Damage Evidence Circulates
The FFC released video footage on social media showing smoke and flames aboard the Conscience, followed by two loud explosions. In addition, photos verified by FFC members revealed large holes in the ship’s superstructure, blackened and charred by fire, suggesting a violent external impact.
Trevor Ball, a former U.S. Army explosive ordnance expert, told the press that the damage visible in the photos is consistent with small-scale aerial munitions, possibly deployed via drone strikes.
Despite this, the Israeli military has declined to comment, and no official attribution of responsibility has been made by independent investigative authorities.
Flight Data Raises Suspicions
Adding fuel to the claims, flight tracking data from ADS-B Exchange recorded an Israeli Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft flying from Israel to Maltese airspace on Thursday afternoon. The plane flew below 5,000 feet over eastern Malta and remained in the area for several hours before returning to Israel.
Though this does not directly link the flight to the attack, the timing and proximity have raised suspicions among activists and human rights groups. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have not commented on the flight path or its mission.
Context: Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
The incident occurs against the backdrop of a deepening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, following a full Israeli blockade that began on March 2, 2025, after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel.
Israel’s blockade has cut off all aid, including food, water, medical supplies, and fuel to the Gaza Strip. According to the World Food Programme (WFP), its warehouses are now completely empty, and the few operating soup kitchens are severely rationing what limited food remains. Many items are being sold at exorbitant prices that most residents cannot afford.
Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur for the Occupied Palestinian Territories, posted on X (formerly Twitter) that she received a distress call from the Conscience, describing it as “a ship carrying essential food and medicine to the starving Gaza population.”
She urged maritime authorities and concerned states to protect the vessel and investigate the incident.
Historical Parallels: 2010 Freedom Flotilla Raid
This is not the first time a Gaza-bound flotilla has been targeted. In May 2010, Israeli naval forces boarded the Mavi Marmara, part of a flotilla delivering aid to Gaza, in international waters. The raid resulted in the deaths of nine activists, with a tenth dying four years later after being in a coma.
That incident sparked international outrage and strained Israel’s diplomatic relations with several countries, particularly Turkey. The current allegations draw stark parallels and raise serious legal and ethical questions about attacks on civilian humanitarian vessels in international waters.
FFC Seeks Safe Passage, Maltese Authorities Cautious
As of late Friday, the FFC confirmed that the Conscience was still trying to enter Maltese waters, but was being blocked by the Maltese coast guard. Activist Thiago Avila, the flotilla’s lead organizer, said efforts to reach the vessel by support boats were stopped by sea guards, although attempts will resume.
FFC is now pressing the Maltese government to grant safe harbor and provide protection from further attacks. They emphasized that the vessel poses no threat, carries no weapons, and is strictly a humanitarian mission.
“Israeli ambassadors must be summoned and answer for violations of international law, including the bombing of a civilian vessel in international waters,” the FFC said in its official statement.
- The Freedom Flotilla Coalition describes itself as a non-violent international network aiming to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza through civil disobedience and direct humanitarian missions.
- The incident has drawn renewed global attention to the urgency of humanitarian access to Gaza and the risks faced by civilian aid workers.
- International organizations and states are being called upon to intervene diplomatically and uphold maritime law, as the investigation into the cause of the fire and alleged drone strike continues.
The Information is Collected from CNN and NBC News.
