Organizers of flotilla defying siege on Gaza claim Israel targeted ship in drone strike near Malta

Organizers of a “Freedom Flotilla” attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip — defying an Israeli blockade amid the war against Hamas — claim their ship was attacked overnight in an alleged Israeli drone strike that targeted it twice, resulting in a fire onboard and a breach in the hull.

They say there are 30 activists onboard, the coalition’s press officer Yasemin Acar tells CNN, adding: “There is a hole in the vessel right now and the ship is sinking.” She says that apparently the target was the generators at the front of the vessel, and that they no longer have access to electricity.

According to CNN, citing marine traffic websites, the ship is Palau-flagged Conscience.

The alleged attack happened off the coast of Malta in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea at 00:23 a.m. Malta time (1:23 a.m. Israel time), the coalition says on X, adding that it has been “organizing an action under a media blackout to limit Israeli sabotage.”

BREAKING: At 00:23 Maltese time, a #FreedomFlotilla ship was subjected to a drone attack. The front of the vessel was targeted twice, resulting in a fire and a breach in the hull. The ship is currently located in international waters near #Malta. An #SOS distress signal was sent. pic.twitter.com/J6oEQafuOb

— Freedom Flotilla Coalition (@GazaFFlotilla) May 2, 2025

The statement claims Israel is behind the attack: “Israeli ambassadors must be summoned and answer to violations of international law, including the ongoing blockade and the bombing of our civilian vessel in international waters.”

There is no immediate comment from Israel.

The coalition posts videos of a fire on a ship at nighttime that can’t immediately be confirmed.

It says it sent out an SOS signal, but hours later, Malta has yet to respond, adding the ship is 17 kilometers from Malta’s coast.

Acar tells CNN that a “small boat” has been sent from southern Cyprus.