UN Urges Israel to Let Gaza Humanitarian Vessel Through
(MENAFN) UN experts on Monday issued an urgent call for the protection of a humanitarian vessel organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, which departed from Italy on Sunday carrying critical supplies for Gaza, including food, medical equipment, and baby essentials.
"Aid is desperately needed for the people of Gaza to forestall annihilation, and this initiative is a symbolic and powerful effort to deliver it," the experts said in a joint statement. "Israel should remember that the world is watching closely and refrain from any act of hostility against the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and its passengers."
Reaffirming international maritime law, the experts stressed that Palestinians have the legal right to receive humanitarian assistance through their own territorial waters, and that vessels operating in international waters must be allowed freedom of navigation.
"Israel must not interfere with its freedom of navigation, long recognised under international law," they said.
The panel expressed concern for the safety of those aboard the flotilla, citing a prior incident in early May when another Freedom Flotilla ship was reportedly targeted by a drone strike off the coast of Malta.
They underscored that Israel has maintained a comprehensive blockade on Gaza for 17 years, which has been tightened further since March 2. For over 80 days, nearly all humanitarian aid deliveries have been halted.
"As the Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s ship approaches Palestinian territorial waters off Gaza, Israel must adhere to international law and comply with orders from the International Court of Justice to ensure unimpeded access for humanitarian aid," the experts said.
They condemned the alleged weaponization of aid and accused the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation—an entity reportedly backed by Israel and the United States—of breaching the principles of neutrality and humanity.
Calling this stage of the Gaza conflict “the most horrific,” the experts urged the UN General Assembly to activate the Uniting for Peace mechanism and authorize a peacekeeping mission.
"Member States have a legal obligation and a moral imperative to stop starvation and genocide in Gaza," they said.
Since October 2023, Israel has carried out a relentless offensive in Gaza, rejecting international ceasefire appeals. According to aid agencies, more than 54,400 Palestinians—most of them women and children—have been killed. Humanitarian organizations continue to warn of an impending famine threatening the enclave’s population of over 2 million.
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