Drone strike targets Gaza Freedom Flotilla ship near Malta

A Gaza Freedom Flotilla vessel was attacked with a drone strike in international waters off the coast of Malta, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition reported, as Palestinians in Gaza face mass starvation and a mounting death toll from child malnutrition.

The civilian ship, Conscience, was carrying life-saving humanitarian aid to the besieged enclave when it was struck by drones shortly after midnight Maltese time on Friday, May 2.

The attack, which took place on the morning they were scheduled to depart, triggered an SOS distress signal. According to the coalition, 30 international human rights activists were aboard the unarmed civilian vessel, part of a nonviolent mission to break "Israel’s" siege on Gaza.