A humanitarian aid ship heading for Gaza was attacked by drones early on Friday while in international waters near Malta, as reported by the organizers from the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. They accused Israel of being behind the incident, although the Israeli foreign ministry has not commented on the matter.
In response to the attack, the Maltese government confirmed that the ship and its crew were secured after a nearby tugboat assisted with firefighting efforts. Turkey’s foreign ministry noted that Turkish nationals were aboard the vessel, and they were coordinating with Maltese authorities to ensure their safe transfer.
Turkey strongly condemned the strike, labeling it an attack on a civilian ship and expressing intentions to investigate the incident thoroughly. Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, who was in Malta, was scheduled to board the ship as part of its mission to deliver aid to the blockaded and bombarded Gaza.
The situation in Gaza has been dire, especially after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas collapsed in March. This escalation of conflict has seen Israel resume military actions, intensifying airstrikes in the region. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition has released video footage showing flames and explosions on their ship, named the Conscience, during the attack.
Calls for accountability have emerged as the Freedom Flotilla Coalition insisted that Israeli ambassadors must be summoned to answer for violations of international law regarding the blockade of Gaza and the assault on their vessel. The Maltese maritime authorities had received a distress call just after midnight local time, with reports of a fire onboard the ship, which had 12 crew members and four civilians.
This incident highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with international entities recognizing the increasing challenges faced by the region’s population amidst ongoing military confrontations. Reviving dialogue and addressing humanitarian needs have become increasingly urgent, as shown by Turkey’s and other countries’ swift calls for investigation and accountability.
The developments surrounding the ship also serve to raise greater global awareness about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, where the blockade and military operations have contributed to severe shortages of essential goods and increased suffering among civilians.
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