Israel bombs humanitarian aid ship bound to Gaza in international waters near Malta

Israel has bombed 'Conscience' a civilian ship on an international waters near Malta on Friday at 00:23 Maltese time which was on mission to Gaza to distribute humanitarian aid for distress civilians on the enclave.

That vessel belongs to an NGO known as Freedom Flotilla Coalition(FCC) and was carrying 30 humanitarians when was attacked twice by Israeli drones,and that ignited fire and breaching the hull.

According to Freedom Flotilla Coalition statement,at 00:23 Maltese time,the Conscience,a Freedom Flotilla Coalition ship came under direct attack in international waters.The Freedom Flotilla Coalition had been organizing a nonviolent action under a media black out to avoid any potential sabotage.Volunteers from over 21 countries travelled to Malta to board the mission to Gaza,including prominent figures.On the morning of their scheduled departure,the vessel was attacked.Armed drones attacked the front of an unarmed civilian vessel twice,causing a fire and a substantial breach in the hull.The last communication in the early morning of the 2nd of May,indicated the drones are still circling the ship.

The NGO mentioned that the drone attack to its ship was deliberately because targeted vessel's generator and that left the crew in the dark.

"The ship,located in international waters just off the coast of Malta,issued an SOS distress signal immediately following the attack.A vessel from Southern Cyprus was dispatched but is not providing the critical electrical support needed.The drone strike appears to have deliberately targeted the ship's generator,leaving the crew without power and placing the vessel at great risk of sinking,"said Freedom Flotilla Coaltion.

Israel's attack on humanitarian ship has been condemned by academics and experts which spoke with Freedom Flotilla after that barbaric incident which has put people lives at risk of sinking while were on mission for a good cause to assist Palestinians which are facing starvation and death for almost two months since 18 March 2025.

"We live in an time where ships carrying the most advanced weaponry in the world pass freely,and ships carrying urgent humanitarian aid to a starving population burn.Israel is willing to bomb humanitarian ships to maintain its policy of starving the Palestinian people as a method of warfare."said Dr Shahd Hammouri,University of Kent.

"Assuming,as appears to be the case,that the attack is attributable to Israel,it signals a clear violation of the right to life,as well as a war crime.It is only lucky that the measure has not claimed lives.The location of the attack in international waters proximate to Malta,requires urgent investigation and accountability.I expect maritime safety authorities too to reexamine their relations with Israel,due to the violation of the freedom of navigation,and the risk imposed upon the seafaring community in the Mediterranean."said Itamar Mann,Associate Professor at the University of Haifa.

One of the legal experts who spoke with Freedom Flotilla made it clear that what happened to that ship is an attack on Europe and Malta,and it is violation of the international and humanitarian law.

"This was an attack on Europe,on Malta,on unarmed civilians and the very idea of laws for peace-and this was not an incident-it was a warning shot and open threat against all people and States-a calculated sinister act of state terrorism.It is a violation of the UN Charter,the Geneva Conventions,the Rome Statute,the Law of the Sea,and the laws of peace.Today's attack proves that Israel sees every attempt to save Palestinian life from total annihilation as an existential threat to its genocidal project-and wage war against the whole world to preserve it.

"We call on every State,every union of States,every people and every principled institution globally to rise and condemn this act and to support the rebuilding and sailing of the Flotilla at the earliest time possible.We demand that Europe,the African Union,ASEAN,Latin American States,and the Arab world assert their sovereignty-and humanity-by refusing to be intimidated into silence and complicity with lawlessness.

We demand a full international investigation under the auspices of the United Nations.We demand that Malta and all coastal States take immediate protective measures.And we call on all States to invoke universal jurisdiction,to enact arms embargoes,suspend treaties,and stop their diplomatic cover and complicity with this barbaric and rogue regime.Otherwise the bloodshed will not stop in Gaza;and it will not stop with the Flotilla.Either Israel is stopped-or the whole whole will bleed at the altar of Israeli genocidal fascism."said Lamis Deek,Attorney,PAL Law Commission.

The UN representative on the Palestinian Territories confirmed an attack of civilian ship on her official X account,and she urged authorities to intervene on this matter to find the facts.

"Emergency:I received a distressed call from the people of the Freedom Flotilla that is carrying essential food and medicine to the starving Gaza population.I call on concerned state authorities,including maritime authorities,to support the ship and its crew needed.I trust the competent authorities will also ascertain the facts and intervene appropriately."said Franscesca Albanese,UN Special Rapporteur on Palestinian Territories.

It is not the first time for Israel to attack civilian ship which are destined for Gaza,in the same month in 2020 Israeli soldiers raided six Freedom Flotilla ships which were carrying hundreds activists from over 50 countries and on that fateful day murdered 10 activists on board.