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2025 Gaza Freedom Flotilla incident

Coordinates: 35°56′28.76″N 014°50′30.63″E / 35.9413222°N 14.8418417°E / 35.9413222; 14.8418417
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For other similar flotillas, see Gaza freedom flotilla (disambiguation).
2025 Gaza Freedom Flotilla incident
Part of the Gaza war
The front of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla ship shows severe structural damage after the reported drone attack.
LocationMediterranean Sea, off the coast of Malta
Coordinates35°56′28.76″N 014°50′30.63″E / 35.9413222°N 14.8418417°E / 35.9413222; 14.8418417
Date2 May 2025 (2025-05-02)
00:23 (UTC+2)
TargetGaza Freedom Flotilla (vessel: Conscience)
Attack type
Suspected drone attack
WeaponMissiles (launched from drones)
Deaths0
Injured0 (no significant injuries reported)
Victims16-30 international human rights activists and crew (reports vary)
PerpetratorsUnknown (Freedom Flotilla Coalition and some sources suggest Israeli involvement; not officially confirmed)
DefendersArmed Forces of Malta, Cyprus rescue services
MotiveDisruption of humanitarian aid mission to Gaza; enforcement of Israeli blockade (alleged)
InquiryOngoing
Blockade of the
Gaza Strip
Crossings
2004 - 2009
2010 - 2022
2023 - present
Groups involved

In the early morning on 2 May 2025, a vessel from the Gaza Freedom Flotilla, carrying 16-30[Footnotes 1] international human rights activists and humanitarian aid destined for the Gaza Strip, was attacked by drones in international waters off the coast of Malta. The incident occurred approximately 14–17 nautical miles (26–31 km) from Malta, outside its territorial waters.[1][2][3] There is not yet independent confirmation of the nature of the incident.[4]

Maltese authorities offered assistance, but insisted on inspecting the vessel first. The captain declined the offer.[5]

Background

Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip during the Gaza war

Main article: Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip (2023–present)

Since 9 October 2023, Israel imposed a "total blockade" on Gaza following the Hamas attack, initially cutting off food, water, medicine, fuel and electricity before partially easing restrictions with limited aid entering from 21 October 2023.[6] Despite some humanitarian access, Israel continued severe restrictions, blocking 56% of aid to northern Gaza in January 2024 and preventing food deliveries to 1.1 million Palestinians by February 2024. As of 2 March 2025, Israel has completely blocked all supplies from entering Gaza, marking the longest complete closure in the blockade's history.[6][7] The blockade has created imminent famine conditions exacerbated by airstrikes on food infrastructure, with aid organizations reporting markets empty and children malnourished. Israel has conditioned lifting the blockade on the return of hostages taken by Hamas, a stance criticized as collective punishment and a potential war crime that has significantly worsened Gaza's humanitarian crisis.[7]

Freedom Flotilla Coalition

Further information: Gaza Freedom Flotilla and Gaza flotilla raid

The ship, identified as the Conscience and registered under a Palau flag, was transporting humanitarian aid and activists as part of a mission to protest the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip through non-violent direct action.[8][9]

The blockade has been a point of international controversy and has seen similar flotilla missions intercepted in the past, including the deadly 2010 Gaza flotilla raid on the MV Mavi Marmara.[10][11] Climate activist Greta Thunberg, former US Army Colonel Mary Ann Wright, as well as 40 other activists had planned on boarding the vessel in Malta.[12][13][14] Palau revoked its flag from the Conscience prior to the attack, and authorities in Malta, Greece and Turkey have threatened to confiscate the ship if it comes to port.[15]

The Conscience

The ship used by the flotilla was the Conscience (IMO: 7211440), formerly known as The Majestic.[16] According to the Nordic Monitor, the vessel is owned by the Turkish NGO Foundation for Human Rights and Freedoms and Humanitarian Relief (İHH).[17] The İHH has been described by some sources as having close ties to Turkish state institutions and is designated as a terrorist organization by Israel.[18]

Incident

The front of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla ship shows severe structural damage after the reported drone attack.

The boat had sailed from Bizerta, Tunisia, on 29 April, anchoring to the east of Malta at midday on 1 May.[19]

According to reports, while still at anchor,[20] the vessel was struck shortly after midnight local time on 2 May by what were described as missiles launched from two drones. The projectiles appeared to target the ship’s generators. At the time communication was lost, the drones were reportedly still circling above the vessel.[21] The incident is believed to have occurred 17 nautical miles[Footnotes 2] off the coast of Malta, outside Malta's territorial waters.[22][23][24] While reports indicate a fire and a hull breach, the full extent of damage has not yet been independently verified.[25]

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition reported that the ship was struck twice by drones at around 00:23 local time, with both attacks targeting the vessel's generators at the front of the ship.[26] The strikes caused a fire and a breach in the hull, placing the vessel at imminent risk of sinking.[1][26] Videos posted by the coalition on social media purportedly show flames and smoke aboard the ship, and separate footage captured the sound of two explosions, though these videos have not been independently verified.[27][28] The ship, identified as the Conscience and registered under a Palau flag, was transporting humanitarian supplies and activists as part of a mission to challenge the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip through non-violent direct action.[8][9] The Israeli military said it was looking into reports of the attack[29] which took place 1,200 miles (1,900 km) away from Israel.[30]

Attribution

An IDF C-130, similar to the one which flew over Malta on 1 May 2025

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition attributed responsibility for the drone attack to Israel, without providing evidence.[27][31][32] On Thursday, an Israeli Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft was tracked departing from Israel and flying toward Malta, according to flight-tracking data from ADS-B Exchange. Although the aircraft did not land at Malta International Airport, it maintained a low altitude—below 5,000 feet (1,500 m)—while flying close to eastern Malta for an extended period. Whether the aircraft breached Maltese Airspace is debated.[20][33] The aircraft's presence occurred several hours prior to the incident. The C-130 subsequently returned to Israel approximately seven hours after its departure.[27][34]

Aftermath

Immediate response

Following the attack, the vessel issued an SOS distress signal. As it did, however, someone was reported to have impersonated the crew on the same channel, saying that help was no longer needed.[35] Regardless, Cyprus responded by dispatching a rescue boat, and the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) sent a patrol boat to assist with extinguishing the fire and potentially rescuing those on board.[1][26] The Cypriot boat was said to not provide the electrical support needed (according to Freedom Flotilla, the attack disabled the ship's generating capability).[36][29]

The incident is ongoing.[when?] Rescue operations are underway, and further updates are expected as authorities respond and more information becomes available.[1][26] After firefighting operations were started by 1:28am, an AFM vessel was dispatched. By 2:13am on 2 May, all crew were confirmed safe but refused to board the tug.[37][38]

"Our vessel is currently 17 kilometers[Footnotes 2] off the coast of Malta in international waters, and it has been subjected to a drone attack twice... The ship is sinking." - Yasemin Acar, Freedom Flotilla Coalition spokesperson[27][26]

The ship remains in danger of sinking due to the fire and hull breach.[39] As of 3:45am, the Maltese Government reported that the vessel was also secure.[3] There were conflicting reports of the amount of crew/activists on board, while the Maltese government said there were 16 people on board, (12 crew and 4 civilians); Gaza Freedom Flotilla said there were 15 crew and 15 civilians.[29][30][14]

Timeline

This timeline visualizes key events and emergency responses following the drone attack on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla vessel Conscience in international waters off Malta.

Reactions

Spanish member of the European Parliament Ana Miranda Paz among many others condemned the recent attack[40] and blamed it on Israel.[41] In a statement, Maltese political party AD+PD expressed solidarity and anger at what it said appeared to be "a terrorist attack by Israel".[42] Greta Thunberg characterized the incident as an example of the disregard for international law and human rights. She expressed concern for the safety of the individuals aboard the vessel and noted the proximity of the alleged attack to a European Union member state. Activists based in Malta reported that they had been attempting to board the vessel for several days but had not received clearance from local authorities.[13]

In response to the Israeli C-130 flight, an anonymous Maltese military source was quoted by the Times of Malta saying, "What happened is very serious. Israel appears to have flown an unauthorised military aircraft over Malta, [a European Union] state and in breach of our neutrality. This is very serious."[34]

Maltese authorities have publicly denied any breach of their airspace.[43] After the crew called on the Maltese Government to allow them to enter Maltese Territorial waters on the afternoon of 3 May, 3–4 miles (4.8–6.4 km) inland to which their request was rejected.[44][45][46] Maltese NGOs have called for a public demonstration to demand the government grant emergency entry,[45] which was cancelled after observing positive developments regarding the Conscience vessel.[47] The Government stated that the crew and people were again offered rescue on 3 May, which was again refused.

Robert Abela, Malta's Prime Minister, offered assistance on the condition that authorities be allowed to inspect the ship and cargo, but the captain declined the offer.[48][5]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ The exact number of people aboard the Conscience during the Gaza Freedom Flotilla incident on 2 May 2025, is disputed. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which organized the voyage, stated there were 30 people on board, mostly international human rights activists and humanitarian workers.The Maltese government and several news agencies reported 16 people on board: 12 crew members and 4 civilian passengers.[citation needed]
  2. ^ a b While some reports cite 17 kilometers, this is likely a misstatement or confusion between kilometers and nautical miles. The authoritative and majority position is that the incident was at 17 nautical miles, which is outside territorial waters.[citation needed]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Goillandeau et al. 2025; Carabott 2025a; Uras & Jamal 2025
  2. ^ "Drones hit 'Freedom Flotilla' Gaza aid ship in international waters". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  3. ^ a b "UPDATED | Freedom Flotilla Coalition says ship attacked by drone just outside Maltese territorial waters". Malta Today. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  4. ^ Scott, LaToya (2 May 2025). Aid ship bound for Gaza issues SOS after alleged drone attack. CNN. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  5. ^ a b "Watch: Malta Offers To Cover Gaza Flotilla Repairs But Refuses Entry Without Inspection". Lovin Malta. 4 May 2025.
  6. ^ a b "UNRWA Situation Report #169 on the Humanitarian Crisis in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem". UNRWA. 1 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  7. ^ a b "Israel's use of starvation as a weapon of war has pushed Gaza to breaking point - occupied Palestinian territory | ReliefWeb". reliefweb.int. 25 April 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  8. ^ a b "Organizers of flotilla defying siege on Gaza claim ship was targeted in drone strike near Malta". The Times of Israel. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  9. ^ a b "Gaza Freedom Flotilla says ship has issued SOS, after alleged drone attack off the coast of Malta". Yahoo News. CNN. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  10. ^ "Home". Freedom Flotilla. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  11. ^ Dagli, Murat (1 September 2010), "TURKEY AFTER THE FLOTILLA", Midnight on the Mavi Marmara, OR Books, pp. 197–204, ISBN 978-1-935928-01-0, retrieved 2 May 2025
  12. ^ Carabott, Sarah (2 May 2025). "Watch: Greta Thunberg among activists in Malta waiting to board Gaza aid vessel". Times of Malta. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  13. ^ a b "Activist Greta Thunberg Among Those In Malta Waiting To Board Gaza Freedom Flotilla". Lovin Malta. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  14. ^ a b "Pro-Palestinian activists say their ship was struck by drone fire off Malta". ABC News. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  15. ^ "Gaza-bound aid ship likely stranded at sea for months: 'The crew is stuck'". Ynetnews. Associated Press. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  16. ^ "CONSCIENCE - Cruise - IMO 7211440". Maritime Optima. Archived from the original on 24 May 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  17. ^ "Turkish government blocks departure of pro-Palestinian aid flotilla to avoid a new crisis with Israel". Nordic Monitor. 6 August 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2025.
  18. ^ "Israel adds IHH to terror watch list". Haaretz. 17 June 2010. Retrieved 18 June 2010.
  19. ^ "Ship CONSCIENCE (Passenger Ship) Registered in Palau - Vessel details, Current position and Voyage information - IMO 7211440, MMSI 511101131, Call sign T8A4391". MarineTraffic.com. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
  20. ^ a b "Israeli military plane never entered Maltese airspace – government". MaltaToday.com.mt. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  21. ^ Jeong, Andrew; Bisset, Victoria (2 May 2025). "Organizers say ship carrying aid for Gaza hit by drones near Malta". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  22. ^ "Gaza aid ship suffers drone attack just outside Maltese waters, AFM vessel sent on site". The Malta Independent. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  23. ^ Reals, Tucker (2 May 2025). "Freedom Flotilla group says ship carrying Gaza aid and activists attacked by drones off Malta". CBS News. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  24. ^ "Anti-Israel activists claim drones hit Hamas-linked ship near Malta". Jewish News Syndicate. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  25. ^ "Aid vessel bound for Gaza attacked near Malta, Cyprus-based ship received SOS". cyprus-mail.com. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  26. ^ a b c d e Diacono, Tim (2 May 2025). "Watch: Gaza Freedom Flotilla Says It Has Been Attacked Off The Coast Of Malta". Lovin Malta. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  27. ^ a b c d Goillandeau et al. 2025.
  28. ^ Wong, Josie (2 May 2025). Video: Gaza ‘freedom flotilla’ alleges drone attack off coast of Malta (News). CNN. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  29. ^ a b c "Gaza activist ship 'attacked by drones' off coast of Malta, NGO says". BBC. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  30. ^ a b Ari, Lior Ben; Eichner, Itamar; Halabi, Einav (2 May 2025). "2,000 km from Israel: Who attacked the Gaza aid ship near Malta?". Ynetnews. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  31. ^ "Organizers of flotilla defying siege on Gaza claim ship was targeted in drone strike near Malta". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  32. ^ "Israeli drone targets aid ship bound for Gaza in international waters". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  33. ^ Camilleri, Mark (2 May 2025). "Israeli KC-130H reg 545 entered Malta's airspace yesterday: did not land in Malta and turned back". The Maltese Herald. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  34. ^ a b Carabott, Sarah (2 May 2025). "Israel military plane hovered over Malta, hours before flotilla 'drone attack'". Times of Malta. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  35. ^ "Drones strike ship carrying aid to Gaza, organizers say, in latest confrontation over assistance". AP News. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
  36. ^ Michaneck, Jonatan (2 May 2025). "Freedom Flotilla Attacked — Ship in Distress, Immediate Action Needed from Maltese Government". Freedom Flotilla. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  37. ^ Diacono, Tim (2 May 2025). "All Aboard Gaza Flotilla Safe After Midnight Mayday, Ian Borg Confirms". Lovin Malta. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  38. ^ "Israeli drones hit Gaza aid flotilla in international waters off Malta, NGO says". France 24. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  39. ^ Uras & Jamal 2025.
  40. ^ "European Parliament member condemns attack on Gaza Freedom Flotilla Coalition ship". Türkiye Today. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  41. ^ Michaneck, Jonatan (2 May 2025). "Condemnations and call for investigation from experts following the attack on the Freedom Flotilla". Freedom Flotilla. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  42. ^ Carabott 2025a.
  43. ^ "Updated: Maritime Security Committee investigating the alleged drone attack on vessel". The Malta Independent. Retrieved 2 May 2025.
  44. ^ "Activists urge government to allow Gaza aid ship to dock in Malta after drone attack". Malta Today. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  45. ^ a b Azzopardi, John (3 May 2025). "Maltese NGO's Call On Public To Protest: Let The Conscience In". Lovin Malta. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  46. ^ Camilleri, Mark (3 May 2025). "Malta refuses entry to "Conscience": Armed Forces of Malta vessel on standby". The Maltese Herald. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
  47. ^ "Moviment Graffitti cancels protest following concrete action by Government regarding the Conscience ship". TVMnews.mt. 4 May 2025. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
  48. ^ "Government says crew on vessel attacked by drone again refuse rescue". The Malta Independent. Retrieved 3 May 2025.

Works cited

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