Did Israel set aid ship to Gaza on fire in Mediterranean Sea?

A ship carrying humanitarian aid and activists bound for Gaza was rocked by explosions and engulfed in flames early on May 2 while in international waters off the coast of Malta. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), the group operating the vessel, said the ship was targeted by armed drones in what they called a “deliberate and unlawful attack.”

 

The vessel, named Conscience, was en route to pick up additional activists in Malta before continuing its journey to Gaza, more than 1,000 miles away. The FFC alleges the ship was attacked at 12:23am Maltese time, resulting in a fire and a serious breach to the hull.

 

Although no casualties were reported, the vessel was temporarily disabled and at risk of sinking before a tug boat responded to a mayday call and extinguished the blaze.

 

The government of Malta put out a statement saying that 16 people—12 crew members and four civilian passengers—were aboard the 68-foot vessel. The FFC had claimed that as many as 30 people were on board. The Maltese army said the fire was brought under control and that all those aboard were safe, though officials were still monitoring the situation closely.

 

While the FFC squarely blamed Israel for the attack, no direct evidence has yet been provided linking the strike to the Israeli military. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have declined to comment on the allegations. Nonetheless, the FFC has called for Israeli ambassadors to be summoned and held accountable for what it claims is a violation of international law.

 

Adding to the intrigue, a C-130 Hercules aircraft belonging to the Israeli Air Force was observed flying to and from Malta hours before the incident. According to flight-tracking data, the aircraft flew at a low altitude over eastern Malta but did not land at the island’s main airport. It returned to Israel roughly seven hours later. The IDF also declined to comment on the presence of the aircraft.

 

Images posted on social media by the FFC showed the ship ablaze and indicated that the strike may have targeted the vessel’s generator, cutting off power and further endangering the crew. The Cypriot authorities later released photos showing significant damage to the hull, although there has been no independent verification that drones caused the explosion.

 

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition describes itself as an international network of pro-Palestinian activists campaigning against Israel’s blockade of Gaza by means of non-violent direct action. The organisation previously attempted to breach the blockade in 2010, when Israeli forces stormed the Mavi Marmara, killing nine people onboard. A tenth died in 2014 after years in a coma.

 

Greta Thunberg and retired US Army Colonel Mary Ann Wright were among the activists due to join the Conscience in Malta. Speaking to reporters, Thunberg confirmed she had intended to board the vessel on May 2. “This attack caused an explosion and major damage to the vessel, which made it impossible to continue the mission,” she said. “This is one of many attempts to open up a humanitarian corridor and challenge Israel’s illegal siege on Gaza.”

 

Turkey’s foreign ministry condemned the alleged attack, confirming that Turkish nationals were among the passengers and demanding a full investigation. “We condemn in the strongest terms this attack on a civilian ship,” it said, adding that “all necessary efforts will be made to bring the perpetrators to justice.”

 

The incident comes as humanitarian conditions in Gaza continue to deteriorate. Aid agencies warn that remaining stocks of food and medicine are nearly depleted. The International Committee of the Red Cross yesterday that without immediate access to supplies, its operations would cease. “Aid must be allowed to enter Gaza. Hostages must be released. Civilians must be protected,” the organisation urged.

 

Hospitals are rationing remaining medicines and prioritising the most critical cases. Chronic disease treatments are almost unobtainable, and community kitchens are being forced to shut down.

 

In a press briefing from Gaza, a UN spokesperson described scenes of desperation, with people fighting over water as public services collapse. “In fact, as I speak to you, just downstairs from this building people are fighting for water. There's a water truck that has just arrived, and people are killing each other over water,” said Olga Cherevko, spokesperson for the UN humanitarian office (OCHA), underscoring the devastating impact of the blockade and the urgency of aid access.

Middle East