New York - (Saba):
The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, called on Friday on relevant states and maritime authorities to support the Freedom Flotilla ship, which was attacked by a drone in international waters off the coast of Malta while en route to the Gaza Strip.
Albanes confirmed in a post on the X platform that she had received a disturbing plea from the people on board the Freedom Flotilla, which was carrying essential food and medicine for the people of Gaza who are at risk of starvation.
She said, "I call on the authorities in the relevant states, including public bodies competent in the maritime domain, to provide the necessary support to the ship and its crew, if needed."
She expressed her confidence that the competent authorities will determine the facts and take appropriate action.
Earlier on Friday, the Freedom Flotilla Coalition announced that a civilian ship carrying humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip was attacked by a drone on Thursday night while sailing in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea near the island of Malta.
The coalition stated: "At 00:23 Malta time (22:23 GMT), a Freedom Flotilla vessel was attacked by a drone. The bow of the ship was targeted twice, resulting in a fire and a hole in its hull."
The statement added that the ship is currently in international waters near Malta and has sent an SOS distress signal.
The coalition noted that "the Maltese government has not yet responded to the distress signal issued by this civilian humanitarian vessel."
The coalition called on Malta to fulfill its "duty to act and ensure the safety of a civilian vessel in distress within its immediate vicinity," as required by international maritime laws.
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