LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – The United Nations Human Rights Office has called for an independent investigation following a reported drone attack on a Gaza-bound humanitarian aid ship in international waters near Malta early Friday morning.
The vessel, named Conscience and organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, was carrying humanitarian supplies to Gaza Strip when it was allegedly struck, sparking a fire onboard and prompting a distress call. However, according to the Saudi Al Arabiya news channel, which cited a Western security source, the ship was arranged by the Palestinian group Hamas.
The authorities in Malta, Greece, and Turkey had subsequently warned that they would seize the Conscience if it attempted to dock in their ports, citing concerns about its alleged affiliation with Hamas. Meanwhile, the captain of the vessel has approved the Maltese Government’s request, made through Transport Malta, to permit a Maltese maritime surveyor on board to evaluate any damage. The surveyor will conduct the inspection while the ship stays outside Maltese territorial waters.
-Photo Department of Information Malta-
(ITALPRESS).
