Tragic news has emerged from Gaza, where at least 16 people, including three children, have lost their lives due to recent Israeli attacks, as reported by the territory’s civil defense agency.
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In the southern region of Khan Younis, six individuals were killed in overnight airstrikes, according to civil defense spokesman Mahmud Bassal. The casualties included two young boys, aged five and two, who were tragically struck in their apartment in Al-Mawasi.
Furthermore, a subsequent attack in Al-Mawasi led to the deaths of ten more people, among them a child and seven women. “The weight of grief is unbearable for these families,” Bassal conveyed.
The military offensive by Israel resumed on March 18, following a two-month respite from hostilities related to Hamas, a Palestinian militant group that launched an attack on October 7, 2023. Since the resumption, the Gaza Health Ministry has reported that at least 2,436 people have died, escalating the total death toll in Gaza to an alarming 52,535.
These figures have been deemed credible by the United Nations, which emphasizes the severity of the situation. In response to the escalating conflict, Israel has halted aid deliveries to Gaza, justifying this action by claiming that Hamas has misappropriated supplies.
As an aid worker poignantly stated, “We have nothing to give them,” reflecting the dire state of aid provision in the region. Israel maintains that its blockade is aimed at compelling militants to release hostages currently held in Gaza.
UN agencies have urged Israel to lift these restrictions, highlighting the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza and issuing warnings about impending famine.
In a parallel development, an international non-governmental organization has accused Malta of obstructing a humanitarian aid ship bound for Gaza, which was allegedly bombed by drones two days prior. Malta has refuted the claim, stating that the crew turned down offered assistance.
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, the NGO in question, asserts that Israel is responsible for the incident, which left the ship named Conscience damaged and struggling for power only outside Maltese territorial waters. The organization was preparing to onboard approximately 30 peace activists from across the globe, poised to deliver essential food and medical supplies to Gaza.
According to the coalition, attempts by volunteers from 13 nations to support the ship were thwarted by the Maltese military, which threatened legal repercussions if they did not turn back. “The humanitarian ship Conscience has been stuck in international waters since the drone assault on May 2,” the coalition reported.
Additionally, they disclosed that Maltese authorities have prevented the ship from entering port for necessary repairs and aid for four individuals onboard who suffered injuries from the drone attack. This marks the first acknowledgment of injuries from the incident.
Prime Minister Robert Abela of Malta has stated that while the country continues to extend support to the ship, the safety and security of Maltese waters remain paramount. He indicated that the ship’s captain had refused to allow officials aboard for an inspection. “Once it’s established that the cargo is entirely humanitarian, Malta will facilitate repairs for the vessel to proceed to Gaza,” he confirmed.
Malta has a longstanding commitment to aiding Palestinian causes, having recently provided medical treatment for several injured children from Gaza. This issue invokes memories of a tragic incident in 2010 when another NGO ship was intercepted by Israeli forces, resulting in the loss of nine activists’ lives. While other ships on similar missions have been stopped without fatalities, the threat remains considerable.
In light of these developments, Hamas accused Israel of “piracy” and “state terrorism” regarding the incident near Malta, underscoring the escalating tensions in the region. The Maltese government has stated that the vessel and its crew were assisted shortly after the attack’s notification, receiving help from a nearby tugboat to extinguish fires onboard.
“We must remember the human cost of these conflicts,” a spokesperson from the coalition emphasized, reminding us all of our shared responsibility to advocate for peace and humanitarian support.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
