Maltese authorities responded Friday to reports that an Israeli Hercules aircraft circled over Malta prior to the attack on a Gaza-bound flotilla outside the island nation's territorial waters. The Malta Times confirmed via its sources that the aircraft remained in Malta's airspace for approximately three hours.
A military source in Malta told the newspaper, "What happened is serious." He added, "It appears that Israel conducted an unauthorized military overflight over Malta, a European Union member state and a neutral country. This is very serious."
According to open-source flight tracking data, the Israeli Air Force Hercules aircraft took off at approximately 1:20 p.m. (Israel time). It was later identified flying at a relatively low altitude over Malta and performing several aerial maneuvers. During its time in the area, it descended eastward off the island's coast, in the general vicinity where the vessel was allegedly hit.
The aircraft retraced its route and landed back in Israel around 9:30 p.m., nearly seven hours after takeoff. Reports indicate that around 1 a.m., the ship reported it had been struck.
Crew members aboard the vessel claimed they were hit twice by drones and pointed the finger at Israel. Footage released Friday shows three precise, relatively small impacts on the ship's bow. Reports said the vessel's generators were damaged in the incident.
What Is Known about the ship and the attack
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition reported Friday that one of its vessels, named conscience, caught fire and issued a distress call after allegedly being attacked by a drone off the coast of Malta, in international waters. According to the organization, 30 people were aboard when the ship came under attack. Video released by the group shows flames engulfing the vessel and two loud explosions can be heard.
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
Maltese authorities later reported that the ship was no longer in danger, the fire had been extinguished, and a rescue ship had reached the scene to assist in evacuating the crew. No injuries were reported among the passengers.
The Malta Times also reported that prominent climate activist Greta Thunberg had been scheduled to board the vessel Friday at a Maltese port. Thunberg told the local paper, "This is yet another clear example of the total disregard for international law and human rights."
Israel declined to comment on whether the Israel Defense Forces were behind the attack. In contrast, Saudi news channel Al Arabiya cited a Western security source who said the ship that reported a drone strike was part of a convoy led by the terrorist organization Hamas, intended to confront an Israeli force, and that the group was operating through front companies in coordination with foreign elements.
