Articles in this Cluster
03-05-2025
A ship carrying humanitarian aid for Gaza was bombed by drones in international waters off the coast of Malta, with the NGO responsible, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, pointing the finger at Israel. Video footage showed fire raging onboard the vessel, which put out an SOS distress call. The Maltese government confirmed that all 16 people on board were safe after several hours. Israel has not commented on the incident, but has been under scrutiny for blocking aid into Gaza for almost two months, despite warnings from the UN that children are "going to bed starving".
03-05-2025
Activists planning to sail to Gaza on the ship "The Conscience" claim it was attacked by drones in international waters off Malta's coast, sparking a fire and damaging the hull. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition, behind the voyage, accused Israel of being behind the attack. The Maltese government confirmed everyone on board was safe and the fire was brought under control. Climate activist Greta Thunberg was among those who had planned to board the ship to "challenge Israel's illegal siege and blockade" of Gaza, where a two-month Israeli blockade has led to a severe humanitarian crisis. The Israeli military said it was investigating the reports.
03-05-2025
The Freedom Flotilla Coalition reported that one of its ships carrying Gaza aid and dozens of activists was attacked by drones in international waters off Malta, causing serious damage and a fire. The vessel, with around 30 activists on board, issued a distress call after its hull was breached and it began taking on water. Maltese officials said the fire was brought under control and all crew members were confirmed safe, although the activist group and Maltese authorities gave differing accounts of the number of people on board. The incident has drawn condemnation and calls for support from aid organizations and the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Palestinian territories. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition has campaigned against Israel's blockade of Gaza, and the group's goals include publicizing the complicity of other governments in enabling the blockade.
03-05-2025
Israel launched over 20 airstrikes on military targets across Syria on Friday night and Saturday morning, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The strikes came after Israel carried out an airstrike near the presidential palace in Damascus, which Syria's rulers denounced as a "dangerous escalation". Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz said the strike was a "clear message" to Syria's new rulers not to harm the Druze minority, following recent sectarian clashes that killed over 100 people. The strikes are reportedly Israel's heaviest barrage on Syria this year. The violence began after an audio recording deemed blasphemous was circulated, prompting clashes between Druze fighters and Syrian forces. A deal was later reached to de-escalate the situation, with Syrian troops deploying to areas where fighting occurred.
03-05-2025
Israel has stated that it carried out airstrikes near Syria's presidential palace in Damascus on Friday, claiming it was a "clear message" to the Syrian regime to protect the Druze minority from sectarian violence. The strikes were in response to clashes between Druze gunmen and security forces in areas south of Damascus. The Syrian presidency condemned the strikes as a "dangerous escalation" and a violation of Syria's sovereignty. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also criticized the Israeli bombing, calling for Israel to respect Syria's territorial integrity. At least 109 people have been killed in the clashes, including Druze civilians and fighters, as well as members of the security forces.
