Israel Flew Unauthorised Military Aircraft Over Malta Before Flotilla ‘Drone Attack’

IMAGE: Israel Military C-130 Hercules hovering above Malta just before drone attack on Gaza Freedom Flotilla Vessel

According to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition (FFC), one of the humanitarian ship schedule to deliver vital aid to Gaza was attacked by drones in international waters near Malta,  The vessel, located 14 nautical miles from Malta, was hit by two drones while on its way to Gaza, where aid organizations have warned of dire conditions due to a two-month blockade by Israel. A report from the Maltese Press indicates the presence of an unauthorised Israeli military aircraft in the Maltese airspace just hours before the drone attack on  FFC vessel ‘Conscience’ was reported. 

“Armed drones attacked the front of an unarmed civilian vessel twice, causing a fire and a substantial breach in the hull,” Freedom Flotilla Coalition said

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

Caoimhe Butterly, a spokesperson for the group, reported that the assault occurred while the ship was getting ready for activists to board from a different vessel. She explained that a sea transfer was arranged instead of docking at the harbor due to bureaucratic constraints. The Maltese authorities reported that the ship and its crew were secured in the early morning hours following assistance from a nearby tugboat that aided in firefighting efforts. Volunteer Surya McEwen reported that the incident resulted in a fire and compromised the hull, characterising it as an ‘unprovoked assault on a civilian ship in international waters.

VIDEO: “Right now we are sinking.” A new video reveals the aftermath of Israel’s drone strike on the Freedom Flotilla. The vessel, “Conscience,” remains stranded in international waters after the attack (Source: X account, Red)

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Greta Thunberg, a Swedish activist and member of an NGO, who was present in Malta and intended to board the vessel as part of the Freedom Flotilla’s initiative to support Gaza, stated that the “fight” will continue.

VIDEO: Greta Thunberg: ‘Fight Will Continue’ After Gaza Aid Ship Attack (Source: DRM News – AC1B)

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The pressing question and demand for answers among activists involved in the Gaza Flotilla Coalition initiative, including all those attentive to the ongoing genocide occurring in Gaza, is whether Israel is responsible for the reckless assault on FFC’s humanitarian vessel “Conscience” in international waters. The Time of Malta has the story…

IMAGE: This photo provided by the Government of Cyprus and taken from the EDT ship AEOLUS shows The Conscience, after a drone struck the vessel carrying aid to Gaza off the coast of Malta, Friday, May 2, 2025. (Source: Government of Cyprus via AP)Sarah Carabott, Herman Grech 

Sarah Carabott, Herman Grech report for the Times of Malta...

Israel military plane hovered over Malta, hours before flotilla ‘drone attack’

C-130 Hercules descended to an altitude of just 5,000 feet

A military aircraft left Israel on Thursday and hovered around Malta, hours before Gaza Freedom Flotilla claimed its vessel was attacked by drones just outside Maltese waters.

The movement of the C-130 Hercules was reported in detail by online flight tracker ADS-B exchange.  Times of Malta has independently confirmed the movement of the Israeli aircraft and that it spent around three hours in Malta’s airspace before returning to Israel. It showed the Israeli aircraft hovering above Malta for a while, before making a series of manoeuvres over Hurd’s Bank to the east of the island, at a relatively low altitude of around 5,000 feet. The plane returned to Israel about seven hours later, flight-tracking data shows.

IMAGE:The trail recorded by online flight tracker ADS-B exchange (Source: Time of Malta)

What happened is very serious. Israel appears to have flown an unauthorised military aircraft over Malta, an EU state and in breach of our neutrality. This is very serious,” said one military source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

On Friday, the Gaza Freedom Flotilla issued an SOS distress signal over a fire aboard their vessel Conscience, which the activists claimed was caused by a drone attack. Nobody was injured.

The Freedom Flotilla’s efforts aim to end the blockade and deliver aid to the besieged enclave of Gaza through non-violent action.

Among the activists in Malta waiting to board the Gaza-bound vessel were renowned activist Greta Thunberg and retired US Army Colonel Mary Ann Wright.

There is still no confirmation of a link between the Israeli military plane and the attack on the flotilla. Times of Malta has sent questions to the Israeli Ministry of Defence.

But activists fear it was a repeat of the May 2010 incident, when Israeli forces had raided Freedom Flotilla vessels from speedboats and helicopters. Nine activists had been killed by Israeli forces in that attack.

IMAGE: The trail recorded by ADS-B Exchange (Source: Times of Malta)

The ‘drone attack’

Earlier on Friday, the Freedom Flotilla said it had sent out an SOS distress signal just after midnight, when the vessel came under attack.

Pictures shared by the NGO later showed the vessel was pierced in two places.

The Maltese government has not officially reacted to the Israeli aircraft so far but one government source told Times of Malta: “We can assure you the government is taking this seriously. We are collecting all the information we can get hold of”.

The government said earlier that a nearby tug boat put out the fire after confirming with Malta Vessel Traffic Services that it had firefighting equipment.

An Armed Forces of Malta patrol vessel was also dispatched to provide further assistance, but the people aboard the Flotilla boat refused to move to the tug vessel.

They need to remain aboard the vessel, loaded with humanitarian aid, as it is their responsibility to ensure it remains afloat. The ship remains outside territorial waters and is being monitored by the competent authorities, the government added.

IMAGE: Photos shared by the flotilla 

‘Swift action prevented tragedy’: Palestinian ambassador

Palestine’s Ambassador to Malta Fadi Hanania confirmed later on Friday that Maltese authorities had responded to the distress call. Hanania said he was in direct communication with the local authorities to ensure the continued safety and well-being of those on the vessel.

He said Palestinians were grateful for the government’s “swift response and professional action to this incident, which prevented a tragedy from happening”.

Hanania urged the global community to help bring to an end “the ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza, and to allow the humanitarian aid to reach Palestinians”.

IMAGE: The damage on board the Freedom Flotilla Coalition vessel “Consciouse”

Meanwhile, the Nationalist Party urged the government to provide clear reassurances to the public regarding the situation and its implications for national security.

“The PN is refraining from speculation on whether the incident constitutes a military act, emphasising that national security must remain the top priority,” it said.

The opposition stressed the need for transparency and vigilance, urging authorities to keep the public informed and reassured. It also called for improved intelligence gathering, enhanced surveillance, and stronger control in the Hurd’s Bank area.

Finally, the Nationalist Party expressed its gratitude to the Armed Forces of Malta and all personnel who intervened promptly during last night’s developments.

Both Hamas and the Palestine Liberation Organisation, which Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas leads, issued statements condemning the incident off Malta.

Hamas said it showed Israel’s “blatant disregard for the will of humanity and justice”.

See more news from the Times of Malta

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